Obituary: Coble, Naomi Fern (Byers)

COBLE, Naomi Fern (Byers)
(Age 94)

Passed away July 3, 2012 in Spokane Valley.

From pioneer family heritage, Naomi, “Nomie”, was born in 1918, on the family farm near Spangle, Washington where she grew up with her four sisters and brother.

Her farm upbringing gave her the strong work ethic, practicality and sense of humor that served her well and endeared her to many throughout her life.

Naomi graduated from Spangle High School and went on to fulfill her goal to be a teacher by attending Eastern Washington State College (EWU) and receiving an Education Degree in 1939.

She taught elementary grades over her 30+ year teaching career, including schools in the communities of Burke, ID; Chattaroy, Dishman, Asotin, and finally the Edmonds, Lynnwood area in Western Washington.

Naomi met the love of her life, Phil Coble, during their college years and they were married in Coeur D’Alene, ID in 1941.

Son, Terry, soon followed with Naomi taking on the family responsibilities while husband, Phil, entered the US Navy, serving several combat years in the WWII, Pacific Theater.

Their second son, Ricky, born after the war, was only with the family a short time, a great sorrow in her life.

Phil and Naomi retired to Spokane in 1978.

Naomi lived a long and rewarding life, adventuring and traveling with Phil through their 65 years of marriage, enjoying family and making friends all along the way.

She will be greatly missed by all.

Naomi was preceded in death by husband, Phil; son, Richard (Ricky); sister, Beulah Zimmerman; and brother, Bill Byers.

She is survived by son, Terry Coble, of Chewelah, WA, and sisters, Willean Lindstrom, Addie Flaig and Ila Shrope, all of Spokane, WA.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the kind and compassionate staff at the Sunshine Gardens Care Center who cared for her in her last year of life.