L.C. Coats

L. C. (Clear Water) Coats, 80, of Albion, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2011 in Marshall, Michigan. He was born June 15, 1931 in Alamo, Georgia to Eddie & Mrs. Minnie (Washington) Coats. He was a Corporal in the United States Army and served his Country during the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge in 1955. Thereafter, he served in the Army reserved, moved to Albion, Michigan met and married Willie L. Lafayette and to this union, ten children were born.

He was employed at Harvard Industries for 35 years until his retirement. As an entrepreneur, he owned and operated a garbage hauling business, an extermination pest control business, and also a traveling market of fresh fruit, vegetables, and a fish. L.C. accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a member of Bethel Baptist Missionary Church in Albion, Michigan. He served faithfully on the Usher Board for over 30 years. He is survived by his ex-wife Willie Lee (Lafayette) of Albion, one son Jowel Lee Coats, of Jackson, eight daughters Willy (Eric) Baldwin, also of Jackson, Maggie Coats of Albion, Crystal (Michael) McCray of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Carolyn (Lonnie) Brewer, April Coats, Ruby J. Coats , also of Albion, Bonny Coats of Orlando, FL, and Luevina (Tyree) Williams, of Albion, three brothers; Daniel (Emma) Coats of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Thomas (Grace) Coats of Jacksonville, FL and Arnold Coats of Miami, FL; four sisters Annie (Lester) Jackson of Savannah, Georgia, Lucille Reid of Alamo, Georgia, Glory Coats of Miami, FL and Janice (Ralph) Hardy, of Albany, Georgia; 30 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, host of nieces, nephews, God daughter, Clara Wilson-Cook, and a host of other close friends and family.

He was preceded in death by one son: Leonard Charles Coats, two sisters Edna Mae Coats-Terrell and Betty Jean Coats, four brothers Leroy Coats, Frederick Coats, Bobby Joe Coats, and Eddie Coats, Jr., and one granddaughter, Lameaka Coats.

Funeral Service will be 12:00 PM Saturday, August 13, 2011, at Bethel Baptist Church, 523 Washington St., Albion with Pastor F.H. Alexander, Jr. officiating. Burial will take place at Ft Custer National Cemetery. A Family Hour will be one hour prior to service at the church. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Baptist Church in Albion. Arrangements by J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Drive, Albion