Virginia (Reams) Coe of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, at the age of 88.
She was born Sept. 26, 1931, in Newport, the daughter of Bert and Maude (Hooper) Reams.
Coe had a strong work ethic. As a child growing up, she picked cotton many years, before taking an assembly line job at the shoe factory. Over time, she also worked at the Jackson County Learning Center.
Coe enjoyed spending time at her lake home, gardening, and traveling to Branson to see country music shows. She especially loved cooking for her family. The entire family met at her home many years to enjoy Sunday dinner together. She made everyone feel loved, and when Christmas came, she made sure each and every person had a gift. She was loved by her grandchildren, to whom she went by many names….”Grandma Coe”….” Memaw”….or “Meme”.
Coe was a member of the Airbase Church of Christ, later attending the Cherokee Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Carl Coe on Feb. 2, 2011; one son, Raymond Eugene “Gene” Coe on July 26, 1993; two sons-in-laws, Gary Bennett on March 20, 2012, and Jerry Hulett on Dec. 27, 2015; one great-grandson, Jordan Fortenberry on Aug. 29, 2019; two brothers, Willie Reams and Carl Reams; two sisters, Lucille Lackey and Evelyn Richards; and her parents.
Coe is survived by one son, Stephen Ghyrane Coe and wife, Claudia, of Newport; three daughters, Linda Diane Hulett of Newport, Donna Sue Bennett of Newport, and Sandra Kay Neldon and husband, Martin, of Newport; eight grandchildren, Gary Don Bennett and wife, Laura, Mae Carol Hulett Allen and husband, Scott, Jenny Hulett Wiggers and husband, Chris, Laura Diane Hulett Edelen and husband, George, Jason Coe Bennett, Melissa Renee Neldon Watkins and husband, Chris, Brandon Jay Coe, and Keith Neldon; great-grandchildren, Teryn Zwolanek, Paige Watkins, Zane Watkins, Angie Neldon, Brett Bennett, Trevor Edelen, Jaydon Wiggers, Bentley Bennett, Abby Coe, Colton Allen, Alexander Schreindl, Jacob Schreindl, Nicholas Neldon, Landon Wiggers, Emma Coe, Ryan Allen, Bella Coe, Olivia Coe, Rayley Edelen, Lilly Wiggers, Holly Bennett, Lillia Bennett, and Colt Watkins; great-great grandchildren, Medley Dawn Fortenberry, Miri Mae Fortenberry, and Paisley Zwolanek; a special niece, Mary Lackey; many other nieces, nephews, and a lifetime of friends.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff of The Waters and Arkansas Hospice for their care of Coe.
Friends may visit at the funeral home, Thursday, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services are 2:00 p.m. Friday at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. John Harvey officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Gary Don Bennett, Brandon Coe, Keith Neldon, Zane Watkins, Dale Payne, and Chuck Coe.
Honorary pallbearers are Donald Roberts and Jason Bennett.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
