Fran Rhodes Coker

Fran Michaelle Rhodes Coker passed away peacefully on December 3, 2020, at her home in Benton, Louisiana. She was born on February 24, 1955 in Benton. We trust in knowing she is in Heaven, singing and playing in the Angel’s choir.  

The celebration of Fran's life will be Monday, December 7, 2020, at Cypress Baptist Church in Benton, LA at 1:00. The family will visit with friends right before her service at 12:00 at Cypress Baptist on Monday as well.  

Fran was the first-born child and grandchild in her family (on both the Rhodes and Shepherd side) who was immediately adored and respected by her grandparents and parents. They taught her from an early age that she could do no wrong. This led Fran to live her life with confidence that her way was the right way. She found friends and kept family around her who continued to cherish and admire her in this way.   

Fran lived in Benton for almost her entire life. She was an avid reader and loved laughing, talking, playing the piano, listening to books on her drive to work, and meeting friends for lunch. Fran’s favorite things were going to the beach every summer with her husband, children and grandchildren; reading murder mysteries; taking girls’ trips to places she had never been; and watching her children and grandchildren in everything they did. She never wanted to get caught without her lipstick and mascara or her matching earrings and other jewelry. If you knew Fran well, you knew she loved her family, fought hard for close friends who needed support, and always enjoyed a fun party. She was one tough lady who shared a lifetime with childhood friends as well as those whom she met while raising her children.   

Fran was a strong, intelligent woman who as a child was a member of the First Baptist Church of Benton and attended Benton Elementary, but abruptly moved to Plain Dealing Academy in the middle of her freshman year. She was a middle school and high school cheerleader, in the Benton High School marching band as she played the French horn, on the Benton High School homecoming court, in various clubs and earned several honors as a talented and top student. Fran accepted Jesus as her Savior as a teenager and was a founding member of Cypress Baptist Church after her daddy and grandfather help build the church. She was a talented pianist who started playing at weddings and at church on Sundays as a teenager. She also spent many years during her life playing the organ at the Benton Presbyterian Church.  

Fran and Bruce were married in July 1982 and made their home in Benton. She started working as a legal secretary in June 1981 with William (“Bill”) H. Ledbetter, Jr., and worked until she left for MD Anderson in November 2020. Her lifelong commitment to these two men formed everything else she did. Fran was a head-strong, feisty, determined and devoted mother and grandmother. She focused her energy on making sure her family knew her way was the only and best way! Her children would often say, “don’t tell Mama” as they did not want to hear the disappointment in Fran’s voice and they knew what she expected of them.  

Preceding Fran in death were her parents Francis A. “Sonny” and Joan Shepherd Rhodes. She is survived by her husband, George Bruce Coker; her children, Kristi Tate Walton (Sean), Kami Tate Buchanan (Trevor), and Travis Bruce Coker; her grandchildren Emerson Kate Buchanan, Casen Bruce Coker, Lincoln Andrew Walton, Savannah JoLee Walton, Macon Lee Coker and Charley Hart Coker; her siblings Robin Rhodes, Dusty Rhodes, and Randy Rhodes; her aunts Mary Nell Rhodes Jefferson, Margaret Rhodes Beard, Betty Shepherd Beauregard, Ruth Shepherd Pilkinton, plus many nephews, nieces, and cousins.  

When Fran was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2019, she wanted to do everything possible to fight the disease. She passed away from complications from cancer at home, peacefully.   

The family appreciates all the support they have received over these last few days. Fran loved her plants and would enjoy know her family had a plant in her honor. If you would like to donate in Fran’s memory, the family asks that you donate to the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas, to Cypress Baptist Church or to a charity of your choice.