This weathered plaque. It whispers tales of a family’s journey. A journey from South Carolina to Texas. The Coker Cemetery Plaque stands here. It marks a pivotal point in the Coker family’s history. This isn’t just a memorial. It’s a testament to resilience. It’s a story etched in limestone and time.
John “Jack” Coker a South Carolina native arrived in Texas in 1834. He fought bravely at the Battle of San Jacinto. His valor earned him a significant land grant. A one-third league. That’s 1920 acres along the Salado Creek. North of San Antonio. He wrote to his brothers Joseph and James. He urged them to join him in Texas. Joseph heeded the call. He brought his family. They settled on the Salado Creek land. James however chose Cherokee County.
Tragedy struck in 1857. Little Loucious Monroe Coker died. He was only six years old. A rattlesnake bite ended his life. His grandfather Joseph offered a plot on his property. A high knoll near the creek. A large limestone headstone. Still standing today. It’s the largest monument in the Coker Cemetery. A somber reminder of a life cut short.
John “Jack” Coker passed away in 1861. He too found his final resting place here. This land the Coker family’s legacy grew. A community emerged. A church a school. The Coker Cemetery Association formed in 1967 to preserve this place. This land this cemetery. It’s a powerful reminder of an early Texas pioneering family.
The Coker Cemetery Plaque. It’s more than just a marker. It represents a family’s strength. It captures their struggles and their triumphs. It’s a piece of Texas history. Come closer. Let the stories of the Coker family resonate. Let their legacy inspire you. The Coker Cemetery Plaque. A story in stone. A legacy in time.