Willa Mae Coachman was born in Calvin, OK to the Reverend Willie and Betsy Herrod. Willa Mae attended Calvin Schools from first through sixth grade. She then attended Fairview public schools in the 7 ^th and 8 ^th grade. Willa Mae then attended Chilocco for her High School where she graduated from on May 26, 1952. Willa is preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Betsy Herrod, her husband, Guy Coachman, sons Mark Coachman, Aaron Coachman and Warren Coachman, also lifelong partner Joseph T. Washington. Willa is survived by her daughter Sharon Pilgrim and husband Rick of Oklahoma City, Son, Alan Washington and wife Maryann of Seminole, OK., Stepsons, Michael and Fred Washington, step daughter, Lisa Washington., Grandchildren, Steven and Cyleena Phillips, Ciera and Shelby and great grandson, Cooper Phillips, Stacy Phillips and fiance' Jesse Notaro, Alyssa Thayer and great, great granddaughter, Ellie Cowo., Cypress Coachman of St Louis, Neah Coachman of Durango, CO, Cody Coachman of Joplin, MO, Caitlin Coachman of Wetumka, OK, and Simmer Coachman of Stillwater, OK. Other grandchildren by marriage, Pam Pilgrim, Michael Brown, Kerri Brown, Samantha Brown, Addie Brown, and great great granddaughter Azalea. Amy and Aaron, Lydia, and Theresa Pence. Christy Love and Dylan Houser. Kenan and Julie Loggins of Seminole, OK, and Onyx and Sapphire, Sister Abbey and Husband Gary Wesley, and brother Jonathan Herrod.

Willa Mae was the second oldest of 11 children born to Willie and Betsy Herrod. She was named "Sister" by her Grandma because her grandmother didn't have any boys and then her Mom and Dad shortened it to Sis. Buddy and Clyde used to call her Sista Mae because it made her mad! Her siblings in order of birth were Holloway Herrod, Buddy Herrod, Corene Harjo, Clyde Herrod and Faye Herrod. She had three other siblings, Stanley and Bert Herrod and one other sister, who passed in their infancy.

Willa Mae left home to attend boarding schools at an early age and it seems that she was hardly home after that. She married Guy Coachman on March 1, 1955 in Tarrant County, Texas. Guy was in the Air Force and they were stationed at several places, Massachusetts, Florida, Spain. Guy passed in 1965 and Willa Mae then moved home. Some time later, Willa Mae began working at Tinker Air Force Base where she received a medical discharge and then later, began working as a Relocation Specialist or Lady Packer for Freeman Moving and Storage, Allied Movers, and then finally retiring at Affiliated Movers in Oklahoma City in 1999 or 2000? She was highly skilled and renowned for her expertise in the moving industry. She was often requested by Sales personnel to pack their VIP clients and requested to be the lead packer by government inspectors when the Air Force was moving high ranking officers. These same government inspectors eventually came to Willa's dispatcher and asked if she would be interested in assisting them with the making and recording of training videos in the correct and safe way of packing high value household goods and items.

I think it's safe to say that the next part of her life's journey was her most enjoyable. Mimi loved watching her grandchildren participate in every sporting event, dance recital or school play that took place. If Mimi missed an event, she may have been in the hospital because Mimi did not miss any events that her grandchildren participated in. Mimi did not recognize step or by marriage children or grandchildren. She considered each and every one of them that came through the door to be hers. She loved and gave selflessly, often above and beyond. Mimi and Pops often opened their home to anyone who needed a place to stay and it rarely mattered who they were or where they came from. Her unconditional love and selfless giving will be greatly missed by those who were recipients of it.

Finally, we would be in great trouble if she knew that we failed to mention how big of an OU fan she was. She was a great fan and raised her children and grandchildren right. They grew up cheering for OU along with her and she did not miss a game. During the Barry Switzer, Thomas Lott, Kenny King, George Cumby, Selmon Brothers and Billy Sims era, she was a season ticket holder. Willa was also a massive OKC Thunder fan! Her favorite Thunder Buddy was Uncle Faye (as her nephews called her). Those two could sure get salty during the Thunder games if they felt their team was being done wrong!! What a pair they were together! Boomer Sooner and Thunder Up, Mimi! We love you!

Visitation for Willa Mae Coachman will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Williamson-Spradlin Funeral Home of Wetumka from 10:00am until 4:00pm. A wake service will be held Friday evening at Tookparfka Baptist Church in Calvin, Oklahoma. Funeral services for Willa Mae Coachman will be held at Tookparfka Baptist Church on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 1:00pm. Interment will follow at Wetumka Cemetery in Wetumka.