Kristie Nicol Coggins Garcia

Kristie Nicol Coggins Garcia graduated from David Lipscomb Academy in 1990, where she was an active and cherished member of the school community. She was a member of their Marching Band, playing the clarinet with enthusiasm and skill. Along with the marching band, she was captain of the flag drill team during the football season. Her early years were marked by a dedication to the arts. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics at Jeanne Vaughn Dance Academy for 12 years, performing in two recitals annually.

Kristie found joy in snow skiing, a passion she continued throughout her life. She was able to share this hobby with her friends and family. She also loved being able to spend time with her family whether it was listening to music, watching movies, or just being in their presence. Sitting with them at holiday dinners prepared by her mother, maternal and paternal grandmothers, maternal aunt and uncle gave Kristie a memorable experience that she looked forward to every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She also loved celebrating Halloween and Easter from the time she was little, until she was able to trick or treat and egg hunt with her two sons, Austin and Justin.

Her collegiate years included studying Political Science and Pre-law at Middle Tennessee State University from 1990 to 1994. She continued her education with American InterContinental University and graduated in 2005.

Professionally, Kristie made significant contributions as a project manager throughout her career. She was a PMO Coordinator at Wipro in 2013, an Operations Manager at Optum in 2015, a Project Manager and Software Developer for the Tennessee Department of Health in 2016, and an I T Project Manager at Community Health Services in 2018. Kristie was most recently employed as an I T Specialist and Senior Project Manager for Gainwell Technologies LLC in Atlanta, Georgia. Her dedication was evident in every project she undertook.

Kristie's kindness extended to all she encountered. She was a devoted daughter, niece, and mother to Austin Jesus Garcia and her late son, Justin Antonio Garcia. Her nurturing spirit was evident in the way she treated her sons' friends as her own.

Kristie is preceded in death by her son Justin, her father Horace Wayne Coggins, and several beloved family members including paternal grandparents, William Leroy Coggins, Jr. and Christine Downs Coggins; maternal grandparents, Priestly Leonard Jones and Helen Lee Buttrey Jones; maternal aunt, Sandra F. Jones; maternal great-grandparents, Odie Lee Buttrey and Mesa Aleene Thomas Buttrey; great aunt, Aleene Buttrey Taylor; and great uncle, James Lee Taylor.

She is survived by her caring mother, Dr. Beverley Ann Jones, her son Austin Garcia, and her cherished grandson.