Laura Coker

Laura, or Laurie, as most knew her, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, left this world for the next on December 7th at the age of 66. She passed in the embrace of her husband, three children, and her youngest sister; surrounded by love. Born Laura Goodson, to Janet Pell Goodson and Pope Goodson, on October 22, 1956, in Louisville, KY, she was blessed with a younger brother in 1958 while the family was stationed in San Antonio, TX. Janet married Fred Bauer in 1965 and Laurie happily gained three dear siblings. Soon after, the Bauer family welcomed their youngest for a total of six children. Laurie adored her big family. Her childhood was spent in Louisville, KY growing up on the Eastern Parkway. She traveled back for reunions frequently over the years to visit the precious, lifelong friends she had made growing up and to reminisce on the many cherished memories they had shared together. The family later moved out of the city and onto the “farm” in Mt. Eden, KY. Upon her graduation from Atherton High School in 1974, an opportunity arose to visit Germany with her biological father, a MSGT in the Air Force; along with her brother, Kenny, and half-sister, Melanie, for an 8 month reunion. In 1976, Laurie moved to Bowling Green and started waiting tables; her ability to garner deep, long-lasting friendships continued. Many of the friends she made while waitressing and during those early years in Bowling Green, she considered the same as family. It should be no surprise that in 1977, as she was waiting tables at Town Towers, she met her future husband, John, as his band, Topper, was playing. They were married on November 19, 1983. A year later, in 1984, they started their family with the birth of their first child, Nicole. Their son, Tres (Johnny Charles Coker III) was born in 1986 and the family was completed with the birth of Megan, in 1988. Laurie continued waiting tables and doing bookkeeping for John’s sign company, Finesigns & Graphics. She retired from Red Lobster around 1993 and then chose to stay at home, raising her children before beginning her career as a file clerk at the Warren County Justice Center in 1999. She also worked part time at Dillard’s and volunteered at Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center; forming friendships and spreading love wherever she went. Laurie retired from the Justice Center in February 2021 and enjoyed her newly found free time by relaxing, seeing performances at SkyPAC, attending celebrations and gatherings for her family and friends, watching her favorite classic movies on TCM, and spoiling her little Yorkshire terrier, Chloe. Laurie will be remembered for her huge heart, her loyalty, and the way she lit up a room when she entered. She will forever be the Queen of fun and good times. Her biggest gift was her ability to ensure everyone she met felt welcome and loved in this world. Even though she was always on the go, she would never hesitate to take on more if it meant helping a loved one. She never forgot to wish anyone a happy birthday and if she ever got you on the phone, you could guarantee it was going to be at least a couple hours. For these reasons, and countless more, she will be missed dearly by all who were blessed to know her. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, John Coker (Bowling Green, KY), her children: Nicole Dodge of Bowling Green, KY (husband Sam and three children Davin, Dexter, and Luna), Tres Coker of Bowling Green, KY (son Atlas), Megan Hubbard of Warrenville, SC (husband Travis); as well as her siblings: Anna Bauer Stiles of Frankfort, KY (husband Kenny), Ken Goodson of Louisville, KY (wife Jennifer), Fritz Bauer of Louisville, KY (wife Renee), Gretchen Griggs of Hilton Head Island, SC (husband Steve), Steve Bauer of San Francisco, CA, Melanie Middleton of Austin, TX; and an incredibly large, incredibly loving extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents Janet Pell Bauer, Fred Bauer, and Pope Goodson; also, her aunt, Edna Pell Alexander. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Cone Funeral Home in Bowling Green, KY. Visitation is from 10am to 2pm CST. The service will begin at 2pm. Laurie wished to be cremated with her ashes spread in her favorite place, the bay in Destin, Florida. Her family will make that special trip to fulfill her wishes.

Visitation
12/17/2022
10:00 AM
Cone Funeral Home
1510 Campbell Lane
Bowling Green, KY 42104

Memorial Service
12/17/2022
2:00 PM
Cone Funeral Home
1510 Campbell Lane
Bowling Green, KY 42104