Coral "Coappie" Houston

Coral Houston, 91, was born January 28, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey, to loving parents William and Katherine Patterson. Her father, William, passed away when she was 7 years old. Her mother remarried, and Arthur Headen became the father of Katherine’s five children. As a child and into adulthood, Coral was affectionately known to family and friends as Coappie.

Coappie attended Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey, where she participated in many forms of theater.  After graduation, she transferred those skills to dancing in a chorus line in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  During that time, she caught the eye of Leonard Houston.  Coappie was married to Leonard until his passing in 1990.

Besides dancing, one of her true loves, Coappie was a longtime employee of Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey.  One day on her bus trip home from work, she was asked if she would like to have a Bible study.  Coappie agreed, and shortly after, in June 1973, she was baptized as one of the Jehovah's Witnesses.  Coappie eventually retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, but she never retired from serving Jehovah.

Coappie is known for her zeal in the ministry, her love for the brothers and sisters, and, most of all, her love for Jehovah.  She demonstrated that love in word and deed.  Her faith in Jehovah's promise of a resurrection found in John 5:28, 29 was real and gave her great comfort to the end.

Coappie fell asleep in death on March 24, 2023, at her home in New Port Richey, Florida.  She was preceded in death by her father, William Patterson; mother, Katherine Headen; stepfather, Arthur Headen; brother, William Patterson; sister, June Onque; brother, Neal Patterson; sister, Lillian Booker; and husband, Leonard Houston.

She is survived by her daughter, Dawn Houston, and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.