Anita Cleve Coates

Anita Cleve Coates “nee Boggs,” 86, of Okeana, Ohio climbed the heavenly staircase to be with her Lord and Savior on February 19, 2016, where many of her loved ones awaited her with open arms. Known to many as “Cleve,” a treasured family name handed down from generations on her father’s Virginia side of the family, she was born in Hamilton, Ohio on November 12, 1929, to Anita Casper Boggs-Westerman and Laurence Littlepage Boggs, Sr., and stepdaughter of Charles Westerman, all of whom preceded her in death. Cleve was also preceded in death by her loving husband, Eugene Grover Coates, her beloved sisters Betty Lou Cecere-Williams and Welma Jean Cox, brother Laurence L. “Buck” Boggs, and step-siblings Clyde Westerman and Violet Coleman.

Cleve is survived by her daughters Anita Stivers (Tim), Robyn Shupp (Ron), Laura Ray (Tim), Katharine Scroggins, and son Christopher (Gail), as well as her grandchildren: Blake Alexander & Anita Travis Rapp, Wayne & Ryan Shupp, Jacob, Caleb & Jessie Ray, Kate, Steven & Ashley Brannon, Neva Cunard, Jacob and Joshua Cook, as well as several great and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Paul Coates and by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. Cleve was a kind-hearted southern lady who deeply loved her family and friends. She was fond of her four-legged friends and throughout her life cared for an assortment of animals, including her beloved Siamese cats. She provided endearing security and love to her sisters Betty Lou and Welma Jean, and the bond was especially deep and magical. Cleve’s generosity of spirit lives on in her children. We remember her as a wonderful, caring member of our family who honored her southern heritage as a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. May she rest in peace and be held by the angels; may she light up our night skies. Anita Cleve’s family would like to thank the many caregivers over the years who took such great care of their mother and made her life more comfortable and allowed her to keep her graceful dignity A very special thanks to the staffs of Grandview in Jasper, Georgia and, more recently, the wonderful and caring staff at Shawneesprings in Harrison, Ohio. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 25th from 5 – 8pm at Webb Noonan Kidd Funeral Home, with the funeral following on Friday, February 26th at 11 am. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.