James Marcus Coats

James (Jimmy) Marcus Coats Sr. 73, of Holly Ridge, North Carolina went home to be with the Lord on Thursday November 3, 2016 at 10:41 pm. He was a loving husband, father and friend. Jimmy will be remembered for his outgoing personality and love for the Lord. Jimmy had a great desire to witness and share Jesus with all that he came in contact with. Jimmy knew Jesus Christ was his personal Savior and had no problem sharing it with others. This was the sustaining power in his life. He taught his family to believe in God and loved to sing and was always busy doing something. He loved to go to McDonald's and hang out with his normal coffee drinking buddies and talk about his family.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Darlene Elizabeth Hinsley Coats; daughters: Wendy Haynes and Terry of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, Donna Brantley and Todd of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, and Patty Coats Foss of Apex, North Carolina; son: Mark Coats and Amy of El Progreso, Honduras; his grandchildren: Terra Matt and Jon of Fort Benning, Georgia, Taylor Coats of Pensacola, Florida, T.J. Brantley of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, Hunter Coats of Holly Ridge, North Carolina, Alyssa Haynes of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, Josiah Coats of El Progreso, Honduras, Micah Coats of El Progreso, Honduras, Abigale Brantley of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, Derrick and Kim Foss of Seattle, Washington. He is also survived by his 2 great grandchildren: Joseph and Paxton Matt.

The family will receive friends at 2:00pm Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at Pleasant Plains Baptist Church 1802 Old US-1, Apex, North Carolina. A funeral service will be follow at 3 pm. He will then be laid to rest in the family cemetery at New Hill Baptist Church in New Hill. Officiating the service: Pastor Rick Finley of Fellowship Baptist Church of Durham.