Janine Burch Coker, of Lynnville, TN, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Pulaski, Tennessee on September 14, 1929, and was 97 years old.
Janine Burch was born in Pulaski, TN to Raymond Otto Burch and Annie Cobb Burch. She lived in Lynnville, TN all her life. Janine had three brothers, Jimmy Burch (deceased) (Marie Dean), Harold Burch (deceased) (Jeanne Mayo) and Roy Perry Burch (Jean Hollis), eight nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Jones High School, Janine married James Minteus Coker (deceased), also of Lynnville. The couple lived on the Nathaniel Wilkes Coker and Nell Bledsoe Coker property in Lynnville, which Janine presently owns. The couple were the parents of three children, James Terry Coker (Jill McDonald), Phillip Coker (deceased) and Natalie Coker, grandparents to two grandchildren by Natalie Coker, Nathan Adam Varbanoff (Courtney Alfes) and Danielle Varbanoff, and great grandparents to two by Adam, Eliana Bea Varbanoff and Ethan David James Varbanoff.
Janine worked for the Giles County Board of Education for 30 years as a secretary/program assistant at both Jones High School and Richland School in Lynnville. After retirement, she enjoyed working for Colonel Littleton at his boutique in Lynnville. Along the way she was the major caregiver for her mother and father, her mother-in-law, her husband, one son, and several aunts by marriage. In addition, she farmed and loved her cows, gardened, sewed, and raised tobacco! She was a fabulous cook. She also loved her neighbors who were good to visit her and share vegetables and flowers. She also enjoyed being with her girl cousins and her sister-in-law Margaret Coker, both Atlanta Braves fans. She was a member of the Lynnville Church of Christ and attended many activities there and in the community. She was the matriarch of the family and will be missed by all.
Services will be announced.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Lynnwood Cemetery, P.O. Box 305 Lynnville, TN 38472, Elk Ridge Cemetery, 1703 Caspian Dr. Culleoka, TN 38451, or St Judes, 501 St Jude Pl. Memphis, TN 38105.
Bennett-May & Pierce Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements for Janine Burch Coker.
