Charles Raymond Coil, Sr.
1929-1994
Obituary
Appearing In December, 1994
The World Evangelist
Charles was born in Flint, Michigan December 11, 1929 to Walter and Fellie Coil. He grew up in a rural area near Salem, Arkansas. He became a Christian in 1948 when he trusted in the Lord and LeRoy Miller baptized him into Christ. (Romans 6:33; Galatians 3:27.)
Charles is survived by his wife of 42 years who was the former Maye White; two sons, Charles Coil, Jr. of Bentonville, Arkansas, Christopher Coil of Elkton, Kentucky; and two daughters, Mrs. Charlotte Martin of Waco, Texas and Mrs. Carole Medley of Montgomery, Alabama; four granddaughters,Shelley and Stephanie Coil, and Christine and Jamie Martin; two sisters, Mrs. Mamie Cunningham, of Mesquite, Texas, and Mrs. Mary Harrell of Denver City, Texas, two brothers, Delbert Coil of Bristow, Oklahoma and Elden Coil of Salem, Arkansas, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Maye Coil stood by her stricken husband loyally and faithfully through his long struggle. Her model example of faith and courage is a far reaching influence for good.
The children of Charles and Maye live in four cities. Charles, Jr. and his, wife Paula and their two daughters live in Bentonville, Arkansas where he preaches for the Bentonville Church of Christ. Charlotte and her husband, Jim Martin and their two daughters live in Waco, Texas where Jim preaches for the Crestview Church of Christ. Christopher and his wife Lisa live fn Elkton, Kentucky, where he preaches for the Westside Church of Christ. Carole and her husband Keith Medley live in Montgomery, Alabama where both work for Faulkner University and are active in the church.
Charles
R. Coil, was well educated. He attended Oklahoma State University. He
received a B.A. degree from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, and an
M.R.E. degree from Harding University Graduate School of Religion in
Memphis, Tennessee. Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee
conferred on him a Doctor of Laws
degree in 1982. His most profitable educational experiences were not his
many formal classroom endeavors, but instead his
being reared by godly parents in humble circumstances of hardship
and toil, his many experiences in the arena of daily living, his more than
forty years of evangelism, and his work as a Christian educator and a
leader in training others to evangelize.
Among brother Coil's many honors are his selection as "Alumnus of the Year" in 1981 by Harding University Graduate School of Religion, Memphis, Tennessee, and as "Alumnus of the Year" in 1989 by Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas.
Brother Coil became the founding president of International Bible College in 1971 and served in that capacity for 19 years. He resigned as president and became Chancellor of the college January 1, 1990. Dennis Jones, a graduate of IBC succeeded Charles as president. President Jones said, "I can't say enough good things about someone who was as gracious a Christian as brother Coil. He was loved by the staff and students here, reared a fine family with his wife Maye, and touched more lives than many of us ever will. His influence reached around the world, and it wasn't unusual for people to speak about how their lives were positively influenced by him. His wisdom and gentlemanly spirit will be sorely missed by all of us here."
Charles began his preaching career in Bristow, Oklahoma in 1950. He was a faithful and able evangelist for Jesus Christ. Besides preaching regularly for several congregations, for many years he did full time gospel meeting work and preached in several hundred of series of meetings.
The funeral service for Charles
was conducted at International Bible College on December 3, 1994. A large
crowd attended. Congregational singing of seven songs of praise to the
Lord was directed by Leon Sanderson and Ron Craft. Messages of comfort,
hope and encouragement were presented by Leon Sanderson, Jimmy Moffett,
Marlin Ivey, Jimmy Allen, Harold Taylor, and me.
I worked closely with Charles at International Bible College over 20 years. He was one of the best and most trusted friends I have ever had. I love him dearly, and I am confident he died in the Lord.
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." (Revelation 14:13.)
I am also confident that our blessed Master is taking really good care of Charles.
Note:The above article was written by Basil Overton for the December, 1994 issue, Volume 23, No.5, of The World Evangelist, appearing on pages 1, 19. Pictures above were first published in the 1987 Annual of International Bible College. The college became Heritage Christian University in August, 2000.
Sermons By Charles Coil
Click On Icon Above To Download Your Free Copy of Real player
For God So Loved
The World (52:44 Minutes; Gospel Meeting, Florence,
Alabama, Late 1970's)
Heaven: Home Of The Soul
(42:40 Minutes; Harding University Lectures, 1983)
Location Of The Grave Of Charles Coil
Charles Coil is buried near Florence, Alabama. From Hwy 72 turn right on Cox Creek Parkway (Hwy 133). Go a couple miles and turn right on Old Jackson Hwy (County Rd. 47). Go about two miles and you will come into St. Florien community. In St. Florien bear left on County Road 61 (Butler Creek Rd.) toward Mt. Zion Church of Christ. The church is on the right. Coil is buried in the cemetery behind. The main part of the cemetery is behind and to the right of the church building. Coil's grave is behind the building and to the left, away from most of the other graves in the cemetery. Walk straight back to the cemetery and look far to your left. Coil's grave is in front of an old tree.GPS Coordinates
N34˚55.420º x
W87˚37.746º
or D.d. 34.923738,-87.629108
Accuracy to 23ft
Grave Faces West
Mt. Zion Church of Christ - Cemetery Behind
Building
Coil's Plot Next To
Hazelbaker Plot
