Mrs. Leola Randolph Coakley

Obituary Leola Randolph Coakley was born September 30, 1927, to the late Sherman Randolph and the late Geraldine Geathers, both from South Santee, South Carolina. Leola was affectionately called, Ola, Momma, OP, and Grandmommy. She was a graduate of Laing High School and enjoyed playing basketball in her spare time. Leola married the love of her life, Benjamin F. Coakley. Their union was blessed with five children and 75 years of marriage. Her spiritual growth was received at a young age at Mt. Zion Church on Santee Road and it continued at Ebenezer Church where she was a loyal member of the Senior Choir. As she moved forward in life, Leola attended Trident Technical College and enrolled in a course in Child Development in 1987. She had lots of work experience caring for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also worked four years at Roper Hospital in the Dietary Department until she retired. Her favorite hobbies were walking, gardening, cooking and sewing. She gained her heavenly wings on Thursday, February 19, 2026 and slipped into the loving arms of Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Benjamin Coakley, Sr.; sons: Benjamin Coakley, Jr. and Edward Coakley (Tina); granddaughter: Velvet C. Brown; and siblings: Peter Randolph, Mary Frasier (Lisbon), Dorothy Gillyard (Henry) and Elder John Randolph (Ethel). Leola will be deeply missed. She leaves to cherish her memories, her children: Diana Coakley Brown, Linda Coakley and Joan Coakley; grandchildren: Tyeasha, Na’Shannon, Keith, Amber, Zan, Edwin (Shanequa), Abdul, Micheal (Daisy), Benjamin, III, Tameeka, and Shameeka; 20 great-grandchildren; brother: Lonnie Randolph (Susan); and a host of other relatives and friends. Mrs. Leola Randolph Coakley, 98, of Charleston, entered eternal rest on Thursday, February 19, 2026. She leaves to cherish her memories her children: Dianna Coakley Brown, Linda Coakley and Joan Coakley; grandchildren: Tyeasha, Shannon, Keith, Amber, Zan, Edwin, Adbul, Micheal, Benjamin III, Tameeka, and Shameeka; twenty (20) great grandchildren; siblings: Lonnie Randolph and a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her spouse: Benjamin F. Coakley; parents: Rev. Sherman Randolph; sons: Benjamin Coakley and Edward Coakley; siblings: Peter Randolph, Mary Randolph Frasier, Dorothy Randolph Gillyard and Elder John Randolph, Jr. Public Viewing Friday, February 27, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Family Hour: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Ebenezer A.M.E. Church 44 Nassau Street - Charleston, SC Celebration of Life Service Saturday, February 28, 2026 11:00 AM Ebenezer A.M.E. Church Interment Old Board Cemetery South Santee Road McClellanville, SC The Service will be LIVE-STREAMED via the Smith-McNeal Funeral Home FACEBOOK PAGE!

Mrs. Leola Randolph Coakley

September 30, 1927 - February 19, 2026