Mrs. Katie Coker Marvin

Katie was born and raised in Hartsville, S.C., the oldest daughter of the late Kathleen McNair and S. Pressly Coker. In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her husband, Harold William Marvin; her sister, Flora Coker Berry; her brother, John Wilson Coker and her brother, S. Pressly Coker, Jr. In high school and college she was an outstanding student and athlete. At Winthrop College she was president of the student body and awarded best all-around athlete (basketball, tennis and field hockey). Her first full time job was with the US FBI in Charlotte, N.C. There she met her husband, Bill (H.W.) Marvin Jr., himself a native South Carolinian (Whitehall, SC) then working as an electrical engineer for Westinghouse. In December 1941 just after the attack on Pearl Harbor they were married in Hartsville and then moved to Jacksonville, FL, where Bill served as Executive Officer for the Naval Ship Yard. After the war they moved back to Charlotte and then to Raleigh with their two children. Katie was the Cub Scout leader for her son Bill and his friends, later Brownie and Girl Scout Leader for her daughter Molly and her friends. After her children grew up Katie worked as a secretary/administrator in the Biology Department at NC State. Throughout their lives Katie and her husband maintained close ties to their South Carolina roots by regularly attending family holiday celebrations in Hartsville and Whitehall. She published a book with the help of her sister Jane and her brother Pressly to document her mother and father’s life and times. Katie was a founding member and steady participant in the life of White Memorial Church. For years she typed all the sermons each week and recorded and typed the minutes of the session. Among other posts she served as a deacon, circle leader and elder. Katie was blessed with a long and exceptionally healthy and vigorous life. She travelled extensively and continued driving until she was 96. As the years advanced she became the adopted Grandmother of many families. She celebrated her 100th birthday this year. Katie died peacefully in her home on December 26, 2016. Throughout her long life her family and friends were blessed by her constant strength and her winning smile. She is survived by her sister, Jane Coker Dunlap (Kirk); her son, Harold William (Beth), her daughter Mary Marvin Schroeder (Charlie); 5 grandchildren, Harold Jason (Mary), William Anderson (Erin), Ray Lance (Laura), Carolyn Scott Schroeder, Mary Coker Schroeder; 3 great-grandchildren, Alexander Lawson, Harold Thomas, and William David; and many nieces and nephews. The caretakers that helped extend her life and maintain her independence are Freda and Erika Dodoo, Rebecca Boye, Lina Oaks, Rosemary Nartey, and Sarah Huffstetler. A memorial service will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Rd., in Raleigh on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 2:00pm. The family will receive friends following the service in the Jane Bell Gathering Space at White Memorial. Burial will be private. Gifts in Memoriam can be made to White Memorial Church in memory of Katie Coker Marvin. Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC 27605.

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Mrs. Katie Coker Marvin

November 28, 1916 - December 26, 2016