Obituary of Kekian C. Coke

Ms. Kekian Coke, affectionately called Miss Joe or Ma Joe, was born in the Parish of Westmorland, Jamaica West Indies on January 20, 1959 to parents Gerald Sterling and Amy Douglas. However, she grew up in Kingston, Jamaica with adoptive parents Harold and Violet Coke who have predeceased her. Kekian attained her high school education at ST Annie’s High School in Jamaica and her Home Health Aid Certification in New Jersey. She has been a home maker, child care provider and caregiver to her eighteen grandchildren. Her greatest satisfaction was having children, being a mother and grandmother to many children and grown-ups in her community. She was the mother of all mothers. Miss Joe loved baking and cooking. Friends and family, after eating her meals, often described her dishes as sweet and that it reaches their soul. We can’t imagine Christmas without her baking and culinary input. Baptized in Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Jamaica West Indies 1989, she has been a believer in Christ and lived her entire life practicing Jesus Christ teaching of loving and doing good for others. Ma Joe had a network of friends, who awoke every morning expecting her daily devotion of comfort, encouragement and support, to start their day. Her signature gut busting laugh at anything silly/funny was resounding and infectious. Ma Joe leaves behind a large family, to celebrate her life. Her five children, Joel, Jeneane, Jermaine, Jody-Ann, Jordain, and their father Derrick Reid. 18 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Also, sister Shoshane, daughter- in -law Daveina, a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, neighbors and her “ride or die chick” Das. She will be greatly missed by each and every one of us.