South Alabamian

Woodie Earl Coates





 

 

Woodie Earl Coates, 62, a resident of Grove Hill, answered the Master’s call on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, at his residence with his wife by his side.

He was born Oct. 6, 1956 to Paul Sr. and Minnie Mae Law Coates in the Ebenezer community. He was a loyal and faithful member of the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church where he served on the Trustee Board.

Woodie was employed with the Grove Hill Police Department for 33 years, retiring in August of this year after serving seven years as chief of police.

In his spare-time he loved fishing, spending time with other law enforcement officers and was a lover of people. Woodie was a loving husband, father, brother and a great family man who loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Vonnie V. Coates.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving and devoted wife, Vivian “Jean” Thomas Coates of Grove Hill; three sons, Shelton (Andrea) Coates of Gainesville, Va., Kendrick (Talana) Davis and Michael (Pamela) Davis, both of Manassas, Va.; four brothers, Paul (Lillie) Coates and Leroy (Patricia) Coates, both of Jackson, Ezell Coates of Coffeeville and Richard (Tommie Carol) Coates of St. Stephens; three sisters, Lucille Coates and Dorothy (Amos) Wright, both of Coffeeville, and Bobbie Howze of Detroit, Mich.; four grandchildren; mother-in-law, Hannah Thomas of Whatley; four brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services were Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Grove Hill Baptist Church, 140 S. Church St., Grove Hill, AL, with the Rev. Nicholas Howell officiating. Interment followed in the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery.

Final life celebration has been entrusted to Jackson Memorial Funeral Home, 203 East Ross Street, Jackson, AL 36545.

Condolences may be offered for this family at www.jacksonmemorialfh.com.


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