Elizabeth Merrick Coe

Elizabeth Merrick Coe, 94, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2018 in Oklahoma City after a brief illness. She was born January 2, 1924 in Ardmore OK to the late Ward Sprague Merrick and Jinks Ikard Merrick. She graduated from Pine Manor College in Boston, Massachusetts where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She married the late Charles Robert Coe in 1948 and had three sons. Liz traveled extensively with Charlie as he became one of the greatest amateur golfers of all time. Augusta became an annual pilgrimage as he played in 19 Masters Tournaments, spanning 4 decades. She followed in her father's footsteps of philanthropic leadership as President of the Merrick Foundation which funded the University of Oklahoma's Merrick Chair in Western American History and the Elizabeth Merrick Coe Chair at the Institute for Breast Health, as well as many college scholarships. Elizabeth enjoyed civic service and generously contributed her time to the governance of many organizations. She was President of the Junior League of Oklahoma City, Chair of the Westminster Presbyterian Church Foundation, and Trustee of Pine Manor College. She served as a Director of the Board of the University of Oklahoma Foundation, the Presbyterian Hospital Board, the Allied Arts Foundation, the Oklahoma Library Association, the Oklahoma State Library Board, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the Colonial Dames of America. She received Distinguished Service Awards from OMRF, the OK Library Association, and Pine Manor College. Liz was known for her intelligence, love of hospitality, her many friends and her classic sense of fashion and interior design. She leaves her sons Charles (Chuck) Robert Coe, Jr and his wife Nancy of Memphis, TN, Ross (Rick) Merrick Coe and his wife Martha, and Ward Ikard Coe and his wife Marcy, all of Oklahoma City. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren: Robert (Mandy), Elizabeth Wade (Ted), Ryan (Brooke), Merrick Fitzgerald (Blake), Luke, Clay (Kristen), Clint (Sarah), and Asher; as well as 15 great grandchildren. Our special thanks go to Barbara Reeves, her faithful caregiver of 16 years. A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Smith & Kernke N. May from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Following a private burial, a memorial service for Liz will be held Friday, March 9, at 1:30 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 44th and Shartel, with a reception afterwards in the Payne Garden Court. In lieu of flowers, the Coe family has created the Elizabeth Coe Fund at the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. This fund, or a charity of the donor's choice, will continue the philanthropic legacy of Elizabeth Coe and the generosity she held dear.