Ruth Lee “Cukye” Coard

Ruth Lee “Cukye” Coard, 41, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter. She’s the daughter of Jessie Lee Coard and Lawrence Coard. She was born Sept. 12, 1970, in Clarendon County.

At an early age, Cukye attended Mt. Pleasant R.M.U.E. Church. As an adult, she joined Prayer House Mission.

Cukye attended the public schools of Clarendon County School District 1. She was well known for her athletic abilities, especially basketball and softball. She graduated from Scott’s Branch High School, Class of 1988. She matriculated to Morris College of Sumter, where she participated in basketball, softball, and became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Class of 1993.

After college, she served her country by enlisting in the United States Army.

After retiring from the Army, she returned to her hometown of Summerton where she became a very vital part of Clarendon School District 1. She was most recently employed by the district as the Director of Transportation. She was also the head coach of the SBHS Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team. She coached and assisted other sports such as track, softball, and volleyball. She was an active member of the school’s booster club, the South Carolina Coaches Association and a certified DOT officer.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence Jr. and Paul Henry.

Her memories will live on through her three children, Jessica Coard of Ft. Stewart/Hinesville, Ga.; Adrian Coard and Tariq Coard both of the home; her parents, Jessie Lee Coard and Lawrence Coard, both of Summerton; three brothers, Anthony (Glenda) Coard of Summerton, Alvin (Miha) Henry of Atlanta, Ga., and Joseph Henry of Sumter; three sisters, Wilhelmina Coard of Summerton, Sherquana Stasley and Latasha McCall both of Sumter; one Goddaughter, Shaneena Black of Sumter; one Godson, Braylen Gamble of Manning; three special friends, Paula (Rickie) Bryant of Summerton, Lila Grooms, Latonya Roach of Dalzell; her Lady Eagles basketball team and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and  loved ones.

Remains will be placed in the gymnasium at 1:30 p.m. with services at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Scott’s Branch High School Gymnasium, 9253 Alex Harvin Hwy, Summerton.

Pastor Eartha Carter, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Prayer House Mission Penecostal Holiness Church Cemetery, 1070 Bald Eagle Road, Summerton.

The family is receiving friends at the home of her mother Jessie Lee Coard, 12 Annie Tindal Road, Apt. 2-A, Summerton.