Earl Coates

Graveside services for Earl J. Coates will be Monday at 12 noon at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. Rev. Gilbert Eaves and Rev. Marcus Finch will be officiating. Masks and social distancing are encouraged.

Mr. Coates, 72, of Meridian, passed away Thursday at Rush Foundation Hospital. He was a retired Utility Worker for the City of Meridian. Mr. Coates was a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church and was active in the Men’s Sunday School class. He enjoyed singing and was a member of the church choir. Mr. Coates loved his church and loved to fellowship with other church members. He enjoyed fishing and eating out. He loved to travel to local bodies of water, such as the Mississippi River, and watch the boats navigate the various lakes and rivers.  He also enjoyed watching westerns on television, anything with Audey Murphy, Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie.

He is survived by his wife Mary Kathleen Coates; sons William E. Coates, Michael Coates; step-daughters Angela Deen, Cindy Anderson and Kathy Anderson. He is also survived by his brothers Wayne Coates and Willie Coates and grandchildren Angela Coates, Jessica Manis, Melissa Edmonson and Jennifer Moyer.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sylvester William Coates and Vera Mae Hemphill; brother Johnny Coates; sisters Bessie Lee Finley, Rosie Mae Townsend and Dorothy Mae Perriet.

Friends may sign the online register at www.stephensfunerals.com.