Robbie Jackson Coffer

Obituary

Robbie Mae Jackson-Coffer was the second child born to Robert Lee Jackson and Annie Zora Davis-Tillie on June 12, 1927 in Richland, Texas.  She received her early school education in the Richland and Wortham, Texas School Districts, and her GED from John C. Freemont High School in Los Angeles, California.  She pursued higher learning from Southwest College in Los Angeles, California and classes at Amarillo College.

Sister Robbie was saved at a young age and received the baptism in the Holy Ghost in 1945 while attending a revival conducted by Elder Davis at her home church, Givens Chapel COGIC in Plainview, Texas, where the late Bishop E. N. Givens was pastor.

Sister Robbie married Elder Noral C. Coffer in 1946. In this union, four daughters were born:  Patricia, Eartha, Phyllis and Robbie.

Mother Coffer was a licensed beautician.  She also performed domestic work as a housekeeper and cook for several families.  Her last occupation was as a healthcare provider for sick and elderly persons.  Mother Coffer was an avid reader.  She loved going to Barnes and Nobles, getting the latest books.  She is leaving behind hundreds of books in her library.  She also enjoyed cooking, completing word puzzles, gardening, sewing, and she loved to travel.

Sister Coffer and her husband, Elder N. C. Coffer, founded the Power House Church of God In Christ.  Her former pastor, Bishop E. N. Givens, came to the home at 610 N. Jefferson Street in 1959 and told her that her beauty shop, which was adjacent to the house, was to be a church.  Sister Coffer heeded to this word and made the conversion to the church.  The Lord worked mightily in the 50 x 30 edifice.  In fact, many people would come and attend the services after leaving their own churches because the spirit of God was so great!  It was not long before a larger building was needed.  With the help of Assistant Pastor Alvin Maxwell (wife, Corine), Junior Pastor A. T. Anderson (wife, Josephine), and Church Mother Myrtle Holmes, dinners were sold, solicitations received, rallies held, and

membership pledges and other fundraisers were implemented to build a church.  Deacon Braxton Mills gave the church property for one of two of the churches that would be built.  Two churches were birthed out of this ministry, Fannin Street COGIC, where Elder Alvin Maxwell eventually pastored, and Pentecostal COGIC, formerly Power House COGIC (with the name change in 1966), built at 1626 Northwest 12th Street.

Missionary Coffer formed and directed one of the greatest choirs in our area.  She was not only the choir president for Power House/Pentecostal COGIC, but she was District Choir President for the Borger District under Superintendent H. W. Cortez. Her work with the choir is a continued legacy today for the Voices of Pentecostal.  Her organizational and administrative skills enabled her to organize a vibrant women’s department in the local church.  Missionary Coffer enjoyed traveling and attending church conventions.  Even though she was a stylish dresser, her main objective was to learn as much as she could from the leaders of our great church!  She was studious and attentive to the various organizations of the church that helped her to organize and even introduce some of the auxiliaries to the Amarillo area, so that ministries could be enhanced.  Pastor N.C. Coffer was elevated to a District Superintendent position in February 1966, under Bishop J. E. Alexander, to form the Amarillo District #2. It was here, working under the various District Missionaries:  Mary Woods, Effie Gardner and Ernestine Duncan, that her skills in this area were mostly utilized.  She was the Unit President for many years, educating people in ministry and helping to fund them.   Missionary Coffer faithfully attended the annual National Convocations in Memphis, Tennessee since the 1950’s.  She was a Red Card Delegate to the National Women’s Convention and traveled from the west to east coasts for many years.  She was blessed to attend one of the national convocations in St. Louis, Missouri.  She enjoyed traveling to the meetings until her health would not allow her to continue.  Missionary Coffer hosted the first State Women’s Convention for Texas Northwest Jurisdiction in the1960’s.  She served under five State Supervisors:  Mabel Houston, Myrtle Brooks, Blanche Williams, Victorine Mackey and Mary Barnes.  On the state and national levels, she served as Hospitality President and published the first hospitality handbook for the state.  She was also on the Executive and Advisory Boards. Missionary Coffer received several trophies for usually placing 1st for Compliment Ads.  Missionary Coffer was a licensed Evangelist Missionary and an astute prognostic of the Gospel in her own right.  For a few years Mother Coffer relocated to Los Angeles, California. While there, she joined the Testimonial Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Elder J.B. Hackworth, who later became the Bishop of the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.  While a member of the church, she loved to attend Sunday School, Bible Band, and the other district and jurisdictional meetings.  She was a member of the Mother’s Board at Testimonial.  She was also an active member of the Noonday Prayer Ministry at the New Haven Church of God in Christ, pastored by Superintendent Robert Peters.  She also liked to attend services at the churches of Bishops Charles Blake, Noel Jones, and Clarence McClendon.  When staying with daughter, Robbie Medlock, in Dallas, TX, she attended the services at the Potter’s House, pastored by Bishop T.D. Jakes.

One message that always comes to mind is “So That”.  Experiences in life need to occur “So That” we can be strengthened, better equipped, and God be glorified!  Missionary Coffer was appointed the District Missionary for the Plainview District under Bishop William H. Watson, II for about 2 years.  At the demise of Supt. Coffer, October 15, 1989, Elder Elijah B. Demerson became pastor at Pentecostal.  Elder Demerson was elevated to a District Superintendent in 1990.  Missionary Coffer served as the District Missionary for the Amarillo District #2 until she received her Emeritus status in 2012.  Under Supt. Demerson, Missionary Coffer was made chairperson for the Mother’s Board at the local church.  She was recognized and awarded many trophies for her work and monetary contributions to the National COGIC Special Projects Team under the leadership of Mother Annie Oakley of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Superintendent Will Thirlkill, of Amarillo District #1, was known as “Mr. Church of God in Christ”.  It goes without saying that Missionary Coffer was “Ms. Church of God in Christ”.  She loved the church so much because she loved God! She would say, “I was saved in this church, and I mean to go to Heaven from this church!” What a precious jewel Heaven has received.  “Well done thy good and faithful servant” Missionary Robbie M. Coffer!

Mother Coffer was blessed to see 4 generations.  Mother Coffer was preceded in death by her father, Robert Jackson; mother, Missionary Annie Zora Tillie; stepfather, Son Tillie; husband, Supt. N. C. Coffer; and her only sister, Missionary Annie Lee Mills. Her memory will be honored and cherished by her four daughters:  Patricia Coffer of Los Angeles, CA; Eartha Demerson (Elijah, Amarillo, TX); Phyllis Mitchell (Ernest – Deceased); and Robbie Medlock (Spencer, Cedar Hill, TX); adopted brother: Gerald Green (Geraldine, Amarillo, TX); twelve grandchildren, Glenn Coffer (Carla, Cedar Hill, TX); Rhonda and Yolonda Coffer (Los Angeles, CA); Ersela and Elijah, II Demerson (Amarillo, TX); Natalie Watkins (Roddrick, Amarillo, TX); Ricky Coffer and Chad Mitchell (Amarillo, TX); Trayvonne Mitchell (Los Angeles, CA); Richard Coffer (Dallas, TX); Corey and Cedric Sifflet (Cedar Hill, TX), 19 great grandchildren, and 10 great, great grandchildren.  There are a host of nieces, nephews and other spiritual children that Mother Coffer influenced.

Thank you

The family of Mother Coffer sincerely appreciates all the acts of kindness that have been rendered. Food has been given to supply physical nourishment and strength, and the phone calls, text messages, encouraging words and prayers have benefitted, sustained and uplifted our spirits! Our loss has been challenged by this COVID 19 pandemic and it has limited, and even prevented, the gathering of so many of our family and friends. God is still good and to be glorified in the life and celebration of our precious family member!  Thank you all for your contributions and thoughtfulness during this time with the utmost sincerity of heart.

Thank you, Phyllis, for the nursing and care given to Mom at home, you were determined that she would never go to an outside facility.  Job well done!  All daughters have taken care of Mom at their homes.

A heartfelt thank you to all the young men, for lifting, driving, and caring for our mom.  A special thanks to Ricky Coffer, Chad Mitchell, Elijah Demerson, II, Danielle Daniels, and Dante’ Johnson.

Thank you, Cousin Jeannie, for your help and support of Mom.  Thank you, Nathaniel Jones, for Mom’s plaque on the seat where she sat.

Thank you, Pastor, for allowing the Trustee Board/Financial Committee for allowing the unprecedented financial support of Mom for these 31 years.

Thank you to Amarillo Fresenius for Mom’s dialysis treatments for the past 20 years.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robbie Jackson Coffer, please visit our floral store.