LEONA GRACE COATES

Mrs. Leona Grace Coates, 82, of Quincy, left this world and went into the arms of her Savior, Jesus, Wednesday evening (April 23, 2008) at Blessing Hospital.

Born December 13, 1925 in New Town, Missouri, Leona was the daughter of William and Lora Brassfield Fields. She married Harold L. Coates on February 5, 1955 in Cental Baptist Church in Quincy. He survives.

Leona was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church and a former member of Central Baptist Church and Columbus Road Baptist Church and taught Sunday School and was active with the youth programs, serving as Director of the Junior Department at Calvary for many years. Leona was also an active supporter of the Shiloh Christian Children's Ranch, a member of the Salvation Army Women's Auxilary, Adams County Women's Conservative Committee and ministered to others as a Mentor at Ellington School, delivering Meals on Wheels and cooking and baking for her family and friends. She enjoyed reading, sewing and crafts and will be remembered for making crafts with encouraging verses and giving them to others. Her greatest joy came in her deovtion to her family and she loved taking an active role in her grandchildren's lives. Leona lived her life to be a blessing to others.

Leona was employed as a Secretary for many years starting her career at Gates Broadcasting and then with Moorman Manufacturing, Columbus Road Baptist Church and then with the Two Rivers Regional Council of Girl Scouts until her retirement.

Survivors include her husband, Harold; two daughters, Pamela Shepherd and her husband Steve and Stacey Shepherd and her husband Larry both of Quincy; four grandchildren, Emily Grace Shepherd, Andrew Coates Shepherd, Stephanie Faith Shepherd and Matthew Allan Shepherd all of Quincy; two sisters, Maudie Melvin and Lillie Dickerson both of Quincy; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Coates was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Crystal Opaline Fields.

Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10:00 in Calvary Baptist Church by the Rev. Mickey Farlow. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home and Monday morning from 9:00 until the time of services at Calvary Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church or the Shiloh Christian Children's Ranch.