Clarendon lost a true gentleman

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BY SHARRON HALEY
Clarendon Contributor
TURBEVILLE — Clarendon County lost a true Southern gentleman, devoted ambassador of Clarendon County, dedicated mentor and loving friend when Joseph “Joe” Warren Coker passed away on Aug. 26 at the age of 88.
“I talked with Joe recently,” said former South Carolina state Sen. John Land, who was a close friend of Coker’s. “We had a wonderful conversation and talked about our grandchildren.”
Land said he first met Coker in the mid-1960s and served as Coker’s page in the Statehouse for two years.
“I’ve always held Joe in the highest regard,” Land shared. “I saw his effectiveness in the Statehouse and in our local Democratic party.”
Coker was dedicated to Clarendon County, particularly the East Clarendon area, Land added.
“Joe was always progressive and never afraid to stand up for what he believed was right,” Land said.
The Rev. Wright Turbeville, who officiated at Coker’s funeral on Wednesday afternoon, called Coker a “dear and close friend.”
“You know, he taught me in school, and he was my coach,” Turbeville added. “He was also my dear friend. He was the kind of friend that everybody needs. He was a friend who encouraged you when you needed it, but he wasn’t afraid to tell you when you were wrong either. He was there to encourage and support you.”
Turbeville, a lawyer and former judge, said he once used Coker as an expert witness in a case that he had involving the construction business.
“I won the case,” Turbeville said with a laugh. “He wasn’t surprised that I had won. Once Joe stated his opinion, he didn’t change his mind.”
Turbeville said that Coker’s devout faith was one of the reasons he was so successful throughout his life.
“He had a strong faith and was devoted to the Pine Grove United Methodist Church,” Turbeville added.
Coker, who grew up in Turbeville, was proud to call the northern end of Clarendon County his home. He was a decorated Army veteran of the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge and numerous other medals during his military career. After his service to his country, Coker returned home, where he began a career as a teacher, principal and coach. Coker served two terms in the South Carolina State Legislature as a member of the House of Representatives from 1967 to 1972. He was a building contractor with Coker Builders and owned and operated Turbeville Insurance Agency. Coker also led a distinguished career in local politics.
Coker also served two terms as Clarendon County’s Clerk of Court from January 1985 until December 1992. After his retirement from the Clerk’s Office, Coker was awarded the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto by then-Gov. Carroll Campbell. Coker was a member of the Turbeville American Legion and a devout member of the Pine Grove United Methodist Church.
Funeral services for Coker were held on Aug. 28 with burial in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Pine Grove United Methodist Church Benevolent Fund, PO Box 144, Turbeville SC 29162 or Rembert Church Cemetery Association, c/o Tommy Scott, 7 Lakecrest Drive, Columbia SC 29203 or Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.