Individual Details

Death

Arrangements for Mrs. Iris Coker Rudman Smith will be visitation held Friday, April 9, 2021, at 10:00am til service time at 11:00am, all at Riverwood Family. Interment will be a private family service. Iris Coker Rudman Smith, age 83, departed this life for her eternal home on April 5, 2021. Iris was one of 7 children to former Brookhaven Chief of Police William Clyde Coker, Sr., and Inez Furr Coker, both lifelong residents of Brookhaven. Iris lived most of her life in Brookhaven, a community she loved and was proud to call home. She married Jerry Thomas Rudman of Chicago, Illinois in 1958. Iris was a graduate of Brookhaven High School and studied Bookkeeping and Accounting at Co-Lin Jr. College. She assisted Jerry throughout his career as a CPA by handling financial matters and bookkeeping for clients. Iris and Jerry raised 5 children as they shared their lives for 43 years until Jerry’s passing in 2002. Iris encouraged her children to work hard at whatever they pursued, which she modeled for them in her daily life of caring for 5 children while managing her work responsibilities outside the home. She also instilled in her children a sense of patriotism, respect and loyalty to community, family and friends. Some of her children’s fondest memories include their mother’s support for their extracurricular activities such as Boy Scouts as she served as a Cub Scout Den Leader. During the summer months, you could regularly find Iris watching her children play baseball at the ballfields at Keystone Park while volunteering in the concession stand. While her children attended school at St. Francis Catholic School, Iris could be found volunteering there at the Annual Shrimp Suppers. She and Jerry planned yearly family trips to Biloxi and later the beaches of Florida which created long-lasting memories for her family. Because of Iris’ oldest child, Judy’s special needs, Iris became a staunch advocate for all community children suffering from a disability, and rallied state legislators to provide enrichment resources that are still in place over 50 years later. As her children began their own adult lives, Iris pursued her dream of a career in public service, and was elected to serve as Brookhaven’s City Clerk for 20 years until her retirement. While City Clerk, Iris greeted everyone with her infectious smile and gracious disposition. She was proud to represent Brookhaven to the various Mississippi state agencies with which her office worked. The friendships she made and the respect she earned during her career brought her joy and satisfaction throughout her life. Iris married Allen (Cotton) Smith, Jr., and they established their church home at Macedonia Baptist Church. With Allen, Iris ensured their home was welcoming to all. She continued to travel to visit and spend time with her children and grandchildren, while also participating in church outings with her church friends. Iris is proceeded in death by her husband Jerry T. Rudman, son Jerry E. Rudman, her parents William Clyde and Inez Coker, brother Clyde (Sonny) Coker, Jr., and her sisters Kaye Coker, Anne Harris Keyes, Margie Lea and Doris Lea. Family members left to cherish her memory include her husband Allen Smith, Jr., sons Jonathan Rudman (Britta), Joel Rudman (Sophie), daughters Judy Rudman and Suzanne Brooks (Cecil), sister Carolyn Wilson (Wayne), 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Iris’ greatest joy and blessings were her grandchildren. Her legacy includes the loving and Christian home she provided for her family and her tireless support and encouragement for those with special needs. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her honor to Special Olympics Area 2 (Lincoln County), P. O. Box 128, Magee, MS 39111.