Roberta Austin Coker, Raytown High School, Class of 1959

Roberta Austin Coker is an icon within the community of Independence, Mo. Known to many as “Poo” Coker, she spent 22 years as the director of community relations for the Independence School District.

Coker used her talents and personality to support the students of the district by building community partnerships and helping to pass ten bond and tax levy issues. She was chosen as Professional of the Year by the Missouri School Public Relations Association and received the Missouri Eddy Award from Gov. Bob Holden.

Her contributions to the community are as countless as the number of board and leadership positions that she has accepted. If there is an organization that is making a difference in Independence, you can be sure that she is involved or has contributed to their efforts. Coker was the first recipient of the City of Independence Citizen of the Year Award from the Truman Heartland Foundation and was the second woman to chair the Independence Chamber of Commerce’s
Board of Directors.

Coker’s work has touched countless lives and she has a well-deserved place in the Raytown Schools Alumni Hall of Fame. Roberta was 81 years old when she died on January 3, 2022.