Betty Jane B. Coker

A Salute to a Servant

Our beloved Bettyjane, also fondly known as Betty, Aunt Betty, Mom, Chief, Grandma Betty, and Great Grandma Betty was born in Cumberland, Maryland on March 19, 1925 to the late Lawrence Randolph and Edith Edmonson Bromery. She was oldest of five children, Randolph, Lawrence, Phillip, (preceded in death), and Robert.

 Bettyjane attended the Cumberland public school system; she graduated from Carver High School and matriculated to Bowie Teacher’s College, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in early childhood education. She taught 1-6 graders in a blended classroom in the Charles County public school system, and later worked at the Navy Yard in Washington, DC in the records department, followed by Government Accountability Office as a statistician. To advance professionally, Bettyjane obtained a Master’s degree in Economics, from American University in Washington, DC. She transferred to the Department of Labor and worked in the position of economist until her retirement in 1988.

July 3, 1949, she married the love of her life, the late James (Jim) Mervin Coker. They moved to Washington, DC to pursue their careers and to start a family. Together they had two children, Randy and Denise. They later settled in the town of Glenarden, Maryland. Bettyjane was a member of the Glenarden Frontiersmen with her husband, Jim. She supported many causes, feeding the hungry, and supporting efforts to prevent animal cruelty, to name a few.

Bettyjane had a green thumb. Gardening was one of her passions and one that she shared with her brother Bob. She loved to grow vegetables and tend to her roses and flowers. Every year she had her son and grandsons move plants from her home’s basement to the greenhouse in her yard and back again. 

She loved the annual family Christmas gathering at her brother Bob and Regina’s home. She enjoyed the warm conversations and laughter shared with her family and friends.

Bettyjane loved the Lord and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was a dedicated member of Riverdale Baptist Church and the music ministry. Bettyjane was faithful in her service unto to God. She participated in the annual “Living Christmas Tree” from its inception, and until December 2019. You could spot her on the first row, far right, alto section, every year. It was a family tradition to attend and one of the many highlights of her life. She loved her church family.

On November 30, after brief illness at Georgetown University Hospital, Bettyjane transitioned peacefully to her heavenly home with her children by her side. She will be greatly missed, yet, forever in our hearts.

Bettyjane leaves to cherish her memory, son Randolph (Mellaknese) Coker, daughter Denise (Alton) Hubbard, Brother Robert (Regina) Bromery, Grandsons Jason and Jarrett Coker, Great-granddaughter Victoria Coker, Sister-in law Geraldine Bromery, sister-in-law Cecile Bromery, and a host of nieces and nephews.