Brookland-Cayce High School EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME
MRS. GURNELLE COKER Inducted 2003
Mrs. Gurnelle Sheely Coker was born in Ballentine, SC, November 17, 1915, the daughter of George Johnston Sheely and V. Blanche Amick Sheely. She had two sisters, Ruth Sheely Barr and Ehrlene Sheely Wertz. She married Theron H. Coker and they had a son, Theron H. "Terry" Coker Jr.; two grandsons, Mark C. Coker and Brent T. Coker; and four great granddaughters, Hannah Grace Coker, Emily Coker, Breanna Coker and Baylee Coker. Mrs. Coker graduated from of Chapin High School in 1932. She received a BA degree from Winthrop College in 1936, and a Master of Education degree from the University of South Carolina in 1953. She also received certification in guidance and counseling for secondary education from USC in 1960. Her teaching experience began in Williamsburg County at Hebron Elementary School, Cades, SC (1936-38). She subsequently taught for seven at Chapin High, and four years in Gilbert. Mrs. Coker began teaching at Brookland-Cayce High School in 1955. She taught English and later worked as a counselor before becoming full-time Director of Guidance in 1969. Mrs. Coker was also the advisor for the B-C Highlights. She has said 'Teaching was my life. I worked with Marguerite McCaskill, Mr. William Parrish and Dr. Cyril Busbee, each of whom had a special influence on me." She has published articles, editorials, histories of organizations, and her own memoirs, "Reflections of a Soon to be Forgotten Generation." She retired with 38 years teaching experience in South Carolina, including 26 years of service to Brookland-Cayce High School. Mrs. Coker held numerous offices in professional teacher’s organizations at both the state and local level, including President of South Carolina Education Association of Classroom Teachers (1969), Advisory Board of Southern Interscholastic Press Association, Second Vice-President of Alpha Eta State Delta Kappa Gamma International, Secretary of S.C. Education Association, and Secretary-Treasurer of the S.C. Women Deans and Counselors Association. She was a member of the Lexington County Retired Educators, Rho Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (Honorary Teachers Sorority), Epsilon Chapter Alpha Delta Kappa (Honorary Teachers Sorority), and the Women’s Club of West Columbia. She was chosen as Teacher of the Year in Lexington District 2 in 1968, and was a member of the Governor’s Salary Study Committee. In 1992 Mrs. Coker was inducted into the Lexington District 2 Heroes and Heroines Wall of Fame, and in 2003 she was inducted into the Brookland-Cayce High School Foundation’s Educator Hall of Fame. Other awards include achievement awards for Delta Kappa Gamma (state), plus B-C High Faculty Service Award. Her community service included Secretary of Earlwood Dixie Youth Baseball League, Worthy Matron, Order of the Eastern Star (Earlwood Chapter), and President Supreme Forest Woodmen Circle. An avid sports fan, Mrs. Coker supported teams from youth leagues through the college and professional level. Her avocations included reading, fishing, entertaining, and sharing her homemade baked goods (coconut pies and cakes) with friends and family. Mrs. Coker's Christian faith led her to teach Sunday School for many years in High School and Adult Classes. A lifelong Lutheran, she served congregations in White Rock (Bethel), Columbia (Ascension), and West Columbia (Our Saviour) in various leadership positions including women groups and other service-related committees. Mrs. Coker died October 24, 2010.

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