Melissa Ann Jones Coker, age 90, of Dallas, Texas passed away peacefully on Monday, October 26th after a full and wonderful life surrounded by the love of her devoted husband of 68 years, her 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Melissa was born on October 22nd, 1936, in North Adams, Massachusetts to Frances Bernard Jones and Edward Earle Jones. At the age of 13, she attended Villa Maria Catholic School in Montreal for two years, then Drury High School where she was an exchange student with a family in Abilene, Texas. Melissa attended Manhattanville College in Purchase NY. She majored in mathematics because her advisor told her she shouldn’t, graduating in 1958 - a small but telling reflection of her independent spirit.

Melissa met the love of her life, Curtis Eugene Coker, at a college dance mixer. They married in June 1958 and promptly moved to Texas so he could attend graduate school. Nine months and two days later their first child arrived. Three more followed in quick succession, and by 1965 she was the mother of two daughters and two sons. She said she cried a lot but we never saw her cry. 

Melissa was the backbone of the family, keeping everyone grounded and moving forward in her own quiet, steady way. She was the person our family turned to with problems, questions, and worries, always ready to listen and offer guidance. Her devotion extended well beyond her own home. She volunteered in all of her children’s schools, giving generously of her time and energy and becoming a constant presence in their lives and communities.

Melissa also devoted herself to helping others. She worked as a crisis counselor and Volunteer Coordinator at the Suicide and Crisis Center for many years and later served as its Executive Director for three years in the late 1980’s. She was an active member of the Junior League of Dallas and through the League served for many years as a docent at the Dallas Museum of Art where she led tours to many schoolchildren.

Melissa had a gift of bringing people together and knew how to throw a party. Her 4th of July celebrations in Van,Texas were epic; a tradition she continued in the Berkshires after she and her husband began summering in New England.

Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured. She was predeceased by her husband Gene Coker and survived by her four children Libby Hintz (Al), Eddie Coker (Michele), Jeff Coker (Claudia) and Michele Tilley (Scott) and her two sisters Melinda Jones and Candide Jones. She was Nana dearest to her 11 grandchildren: Andrew Hintz, Amy Hintz, Shelby Hintz Finkelstein, Zach Coker, Sterling Coker, Tess Coker, Michael Coker, Zimmi Coker, Sam Tilley, Melissa Tilley and Kay Tilley and eight great-grandchildren: Olivia, AJ, Emelia, Felicity, Hazel, Eli, Wyatt and Woodrow. Our Mom and Nana will be sorely missed.