Louisa Hunt Coker, 91, died peacefully on December 27, 2025, with family at her side, after a long illness. To her children and grandchildren, she leaves an enduring legacy of faith, deep devotion to family, and the joyful reminder that a good attitude and cheerful disposition — especially when paired with a good song — can carry one through even life’s most challenging circumstances.
Louisa was born on December 4, 1934, in Wilmington, North Carolina, the only child of Raymond and Dorothy Purdum Hunt. At a young age, her family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia where Louisa spent her formative years and formed a lifelong love for the Commonwealth. After high school at St. Anne’s School, she graduated from Sweet Briar College in 1956 with a degree in Psychology.
After college, Louisa moved to Boston and worked in the Psychology Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It was there that she met the love of her life, E. R. M. (“Mac”) Coker. They married in Charlottesville in December 1958 and thereafter settled in Franklin, Virginia, a community they embraced wholeheartedly and where they raised their three sons during 55 happy years of marriage.
Known affectionately as “Lou” to Mac and many friends, Louisa lived a life of quiet service. For many years, she could be found most Monday afternoons volunteering at East Pavilion, offering companionship and help to its residents. A two time cancer survivor, she also gave back through the Reach to Recovery program, offering encouragement born of experience. She was especially proud of having served eight years as a Den Mother with Cub Scout Pack 105.
Louisa found great joy in gardening and books. She was a member and Past President of the Franklin Garden Club for more than 50 years and a dedicated Master Gardener who delighted in spending afternoons working in her yard. She was also a longtime member of the Franklin Book Club, where friends and lively conversation were always cherished.
In 2018, Louisa moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina to be closer to her family. Though she was born and died in North Carolina, she remained, in her heart, a Virginian – and could sing “The Good Old Song” with enthusiasm right to the end.
Louisa is survived by her three sons: William McIver Coker and wife Sally of Spartanburg, South Carolina; John Hunt Coker and wife Leslie of Hendersonville, North Carolina; and James Roderick Coker and wife Gina of Atlanta, Georgia. She was a devoted grandmother to seven grandchildren — Anne Coker Crowell (Case), Dr. Hannah Coker Woltz (Erick), Margaret Lanier Coker, William McIver Coker, Jr., Amelia Catherine Coker, Reese Williams Coker, and Charles Wiley Coker. She cherished her grandchildren and was especially proud to have four great-grandchildren — Logan Caroline and Olivia Davey Crowell, and Quinn John and Collin Hunt Woltz. As an only child, she was particularly close to her sisters-in-law, Mary Coker Wieters (now deceased) and Flora Wiley Coker.
A funeral service celebrating Louisa’s life will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Franklin on January 24 at 11:00 AM, conducted by the Rev. Beverly Collinsworth and by Edmund Pickup, former Rector. A reception will follow the service.
The family offers their deepest gratitude to the staff of Tore’s Home in Hendersonville for the loving and compassionate care they provided “Miss Lou” for the past two and a half years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church; Asa’s Neighborhood at The Village at Woods Edge; the James L. Camp, Jr. Family YMCA; or a charity meaningful to the donor.
Condolences may be sent to the Coker family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or C/O Jackson Funeral Service 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Please include the name of the deceased on the condolence.