She was Mary Jackson, born May, 1860 in Christian County, Missouri the fifth child of Gilbert and Dicie  Jackson. Mary's brothers and sisters were Elijah, Malinda, Susannah, N.C., Nancy, Emma, and Malona.

In March of 1880 when Mary was twenty she married William Frank Coker. They lived in Porter Township of Christian County, Missouri near Delaware Town. I have to suppose that she set out in her married life thinking that she would live to a ripe old age, have children, and that she and Frank would raise them and grow old together. It was not to be such a wonderful journey through time for Mary.

Mary and Frank had seven children, Hattie, Toni, John, Claud, Linzey, Elijah and Charley. Hattie and Toni died at ages nine and six. The years of their birth is not known.

On a cold winter day, the year of which is unknown, Mary had made a roaring fire under the wash kettle. The clothes washing was done outside with the kettle of water being heated to a high temperature.  Hattie who was helping with the wash drew close to the fire for warmth.  The flames ignited her flannel clothing, and she died from the burns she suffered.

It is not known why the child Toni died, but both she and Hattie are resting in McConnell Cemetery near old Delaware Town.

Before she had been married fourteen years Mary lost her husband Frank. His tombstone states, "Died Age 33". We do not know the circumstances of his death.  It would have been 1894 or 1895. In those days there were many illnesses that wiped out entire families. People were left to treat their maladies with home remedies. Many times a homemade potion was given due to the scarcity of doctors. In some case these remedies worked, but often people died from diseases that are easily cured today.

At the turn of the century Mary who was bedridden with tuberculosis, married John Henry Jones.  She died four months later.  Her land and her home was sold, and the children of Frank and Mary were left to fend for themselves.

The five Coker children, John, Linzey, Elijah, Charley, and my grandfather Claud were orphans. They ranged in ages from four to fifteen years old.

Nancy Jackson Jones, a sister of Mary would watch for the boys to leave school. Everyday she took them into her house and fed them their supper, then watched them go on their way to find a place to spend the night. The boys never knew from one day to the next if they would have food or shelter. They all survived with the exception of Charley who died when he was in his teens. My grandfather Claud never spoke of his childhood. His memory of it must have been too painful.

Great-grandma Mary must have had immense courage to have endured such grave adversities in her short lifetime.  She died fifty years before I was born, so I never saw or knew her. On reflection  I realize that while I didn't know Mary I have caught glimpses of her all through my own life. In difficult times I have seen the grit and determination of my mother and her sisters. Now I realize that it was that brave spirit which was passed on to them by the woman whose name was Mary.