Frances Carolyn Coker

Frances Carolyn Simmons Coker , passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026, in Columbus, Georgia.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, March 23, 2026 in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907. Interment will be held at Parkhill Cemetery following the service. 

Frances was born on September 4, 1938, in Buena Vista, Georgia, Frances lived a life marked by devotion to her family, her faith, and her community. She was a loving mother and a dedicated professional, serving as a crossing guard with the Muscogee County School District for more than 20 years. Her commitment to ensuring the safety of children in her community was a testament to her nurturing spirit and her genuine care for others. She was a devout Christian and a member of Cascade Hills Church, where her faith guided her actions and provided strength throughout her life.

Her life was enriched by her close relationships with her family. Frances is survived by her beloved sons, James Gregory Coker and his wife Jill, and Robert Allen Coker and his wife Sharon; and her daughter, Sheila Coker Grantham. She treasured her grandchildren—Brent Coker and his wife Sandi, Alex Coker, Kristin Caban and her husband Drew, AJ Coker and his wife Daryl Lynn, and Ty Coker—who brought joy and continuity to her life. Frances also shared a deep bond with her great-grandchildren Berkleigh Harrell, Mason Coker, and Molly Gray Coker, who carried forward her legacy of love.

Her siblings, Bennett Simmons and his wife Lee Etta, Gloria Burgess, Ronald Simmons, and Rita Kay Hargraves and her husband Anson, remain as cherished members of her extended family, continuing to honor the close-knit values that Frances held dear.

Frances was preceded in death by her father, John Felton Simmons, and her mother, Evelyn Simmons; her husband, James Edwin Coker; as well as her great-grandson, Grayson James Coker. Their memories are forever treasured in the hearts of those who loved her.

Throughout her life, Frances Carolyn Coker exemplified kindness, dedication, and unwavering faith. She touched many lives through her caring nature and her service. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit will continue to inspire her family, friends, and community for years to come.