1948-2026
Joe Alden Coker, 78, of White Hall, passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, April 21, 2026 at home with his wife, Donna, by his side.
Born on February 21,1948 in Memphis, Tennessee, his parents were John Henry Coker and Helen Faust Tigner Coker. In 1966, he graduated from Treadwell High School in Memphis. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force and served proudly as a classified radar operator. After his military service, Joe attended the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama.
Joe worked in his father’s family grocery store while growing up. During college he worked in the food business with Morrison’s Cafeterias and expanded his career to managing cafeterias in many states. With Morrison’s, Joe and his wife, Donna, moved to Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, Savannah, Georgia, and Kansas City, Missouri. They came to Pine Bluff, Arkansas when Joe took a position with AVA, part of the Coca-Cola industry in Pine Bluff. Joe’s proudest achievement was owning and operating the Colonial Steak House in Pine Bluff for 22 years. He was always happy meeting customers and serving good steaks.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Coker; his younger sister, Debra Lynn Coker Willis Murray; two half-brothers, John Billy Coker and Robert Gene Coker; a stepbrother, Fred Eugene Duffer; and his stepmother, Pauline Duffer Coker.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Donna Dixon Coker; his adored children, Jon Coker (Lindsy) and Heather Edwards; as well as his grandchildren Spencer Edwards, Kyndall Edwards, Bennett Edwards, and Emma Coker.
Joe spent a lot of time coaching sports even before his children were born. He coached Jon’s baseball and basketball teams over the years as well as Heather’s softball teams. Joe was an avid golfer, hunter, and a diehard Tennessee Volunteers fan (Joe always made a big deal about Tennessee being better than Arkansas- so his dentist put a temporary crown on his tooth with a Razorback painted on it as a joke!). He spent many years playing golf with his son and his many friends. He was a proud member of Wooley Hunting Club for over 35 years, and his children and grandchildren often enjoyed being a part of the hunting camp with him.
Joe and Donna were members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Pine Bluff. Joe was very active in the church, serving as a reader, chalice bearer, and usher. He was also a member of Trinity’s Vestry and had served as treasurer.
Visitation will be Monday, April 27th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son.
His funeral service will be Tuesday, April 28th 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church. There will be a reception prior to the service in the Parish Hall at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery with military funeral honors.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 703 West 3rd Avenue, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.
