Margaret Lorena Coram McCormick

 October 23, 1954 - December 23, 2022

Born October 23, 1954 in Montgomery, AL., the daughter of James L. Coram, and Frances Pepper Coram. She died on the 23rd of December 2022 in Normal, IL after a lengthy illness: Corticobasal Degeneration. A celebration of life service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church (Bloomington, IL) at a date and time to be determined.

Schools: 

Catoma Elementary, Montgomery, AL

Baldwin Jr. High, Montgomery, AL

LaGrange Sr. High, Lake Charles, LA

Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA

   B.A., Art Education, 1977

   M.A, Counseling, 1992

Her career included roles as a teacher, juvenile probation officer, counselor (mental health, academic, and career counseling,) and in corporate employee & leadership development. She found the greatest satisfaction, whether in paid employment or volunteer work, in situations where she could truly make a difference in people’s lives or in creating positive experiences for people.

She joined Zeta Tau Alpha as a freshman in college, and remained active as an alumna throughout her life. She was also active for many years in her professional organization, the National Career Development Association. And she was active in volunteer work with the Community Cancer Center in Normal, IL, and with the Susan G. Komen organization. She was a faithful and beloved member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Bloomington, IL until her death.

She married Ray Colvin McCormick on May 9, 1981 in Ruston, LA. He remained committed to his marriage vow of “in sickness and in health,” in serving as her caregiver during the last years of her life. He survives, as do the couple’s two daughters, Gina Rae McCormick Murla (George III) of Denver, CO, and Jessie Laura McCormick DePriest (Dane) of Baton Rouge, LA; 5 grandchildren: George IV, Benjamin, & Jacob Murla, and Kathryn & Collins DePriest; parents-in-law, Jim & Rebecca Collins of Bossier City, LA.

She is also survived by beloved siblings: sister, Jill Coram Shirkey (Bruce) of Shreveport, LA; stepbrother Paul Davis (Jan) and stepbrother-in-law Fred S. Taylor all of Prattville, AL; Aunt, Margaret Pepper Grantham of Oxford, MS, several nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, several aunts and uncles, 4 cousins and stepsister Betty Davis Taylor.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her favorite charities: Louisiana Tech University Foundation - ZTA scholarship, UMCOR, Wesley UMC in Bloomington, IL, Community Cancer Center in Normal, IL or the charity of your choice in her memory.