Concetta “Connie” Marie Coco Walker

Concetta “Connie” Coco Walker born on December 28, 1920, in Beaumont, Texas passed away peacefully on February 8, 2022. She was a proud member of the “100” club because she had turned 101 years old in December

Concetta’s parents were from Cefalu, Sicily, Italian immigrants who immigrated to Beaumont, Texas to raise a family and were entrepreneurs in a neighborhood grocery business.  Growing up she and her siblings assisted their parents in the operations of their family-owned business Joe Coco’s Grocery Store on Buford Street downtown Beaumont.

Concetta was a graduate of Beaumont High School, class of 1939 where she participated in the Beaumont High School Royal Guards with her sister Rosetta as well as an avid tennis player.  Concetta chose a career in cosmetology and received her license in 1940.  After a few years working in the profession, she opened Concetta’s Beauty Shop in the San Jacinto Building downtown Beaumont and eventually moved her salon to an established neighborhood until she retired in the mid 1990’s.   Concetta enjoyed her casino trips with her late cousin Anne Chimeno and good friends Mary Lopez and Juanita Guerra.

She was an active member of St. Anthony’s Cathedral Basilica Catholic Church as well as a member of the St. Anthony’s Ladies Society.  Prior to her brief illness, you could always find Concetta at the 12:00 p.m. Sunday mass at St. Anthony’s as she would always say, “I find peace and joy when I attend mass.”  Concetta was a firm believer of the power of positive thinking and prayer and always wore a smile.

She is survived by her son Carl Francis Walker, and her daughter the late Concetta Yvonne Walker who went to be with the Lord in 1959, close family friend she called her #2 son Bobby Davis, nephews Joe Ramey and wife Nikki Graziano Ramey, Vincent Paul Coco and wife Jodie, Joseph Sam Coco and wife Margaret Danna Coco, nieces Carolyn Messina Deitz, Concetta Messina Borsellino and husband Paul Borsellino, Concetta Coco Nolan, Rosie Coco Sikorsky and many great nieces and nephews.

Concetta is preceded in death by her parents Joe and Concetta Chimeno Coco, brothers and sisters Charlie Coco, Josephine Coco Messina, Sam Coco, Theresa Coco Fertitta, and Rosetta Coco Ramey.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, 2780 Eastex Fwy, Beaumont, Texas 77703; St. Anthony’s Basilica Cathedral Church; or St. Joseph’s Church 1115 Orange Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.

A gathering of Ms. Walker’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m., Monday, February 14, 2022, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont. Mrs. Walker will be laid to rest at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Ramey, Joseph Ramey, Vincent Coco, Joseph Sam Coco, Kris Sanders, Kelly Sanders, Jamie Borsellino, Russell Chimeno. Honorary pallbearers Wade Gary, Bobby Davis, and Jeremy Saba.