Annette Edwards Obituary

Annette Edwards ORANGE CITY, FL - Annette Coker Edwards, aged 84, of Orange City, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 8, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. She was born the second child to parents, Kirby and Bertha "Evelyn" Gardner, in Charleston, SC, on July 25, 1939. Annette was a true Charlestonian, a detail that was integral to her identity. She married Wymon Coker Sr. in July 1957, and they had three sons, whom they raised together until his death in 1979. After Wymon's passing, Annette returned to school, graduating from seminary to become a pastor in the United Methodist Church. While she always considered motherhood her first and most important career, Annette was an exceptional pastor who prided herself on the example she set for women who wanted to work in the ministry. She was dedicated to her vocation, serving numerous churches in the Low Country of South Carolina. Annette was a larger-than-life presence who made an impact on everyone she met. She was a trailblazer for women in the church, the fun aunt, world traveler, confidant, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to so many. Annette leaves behind her beloved partner, Ray Morgan; sons, Wymon "Dwain" Coker, Jr. (Beth) of DeLand, Florida; Douglas LeGrand Coker (Judy) of Bremen, Georgia; and James "Dale" Coker (Jenny) of Charleston, South Carolina; five grandchildren - Christian, Brandon, Allison, Jessica, and Ashley; five great-grandchildren; sister, Carol Marie (Wallace) Boulware; nieces, Denise Whitehead and Debra Gardner; nephew, Kenneth Gardner; her special true friends, Donna Farmer and Dr. Carol Graf. Annette was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ashley Gardner; and nephew, Rion Kirby Boulware. In lieu of funeral services, we will gather to honor Annette with a celebration of life on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at Cokesbury United Methodist Church 4990 Dorchester Rd., North Charleston, SC 29418. We invite all friends and family to attend and share their memories of our beloved Annette. Online condolences may be offered at Altman-Long Funeral Home & Crematory, DeBary, FL.