Louise Ray Coulter

Mrs. Louise Ray Coulter, age 94, of Hermitage, peacefully passed away March 30, 2019 at Alive Hospice in Nashville, surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 5, 1924 in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, the youngest of 7 children of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Shaw. Louise was preceded in death by sisters Elizabeth Messer, Anna May Jens and Laverne Carpenter; brothers Harold, Thomas and John Shaw.

After graduation from Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College, she taught high school in Junction City, Kentucky where she encountered the Coulter clan and met Thomas, a young navy chief. They enjoyed 71 years of marriage during which they shared the frequent roamings of a naval life before landing in Nashville in 1962. And besides raising two boys and being passionate and loving participants in their growing families, Louise and Thomas were inseparable partners in many other life adventures – they loved hiking, bicycle riding, snow skiing, working for their church and others, and going to the YMCA. Louise, who was a devout Christian and never met a stranger, was a charter and very active member of Hermitage Hills Baptist Church.

She is survived by her loving husband Thomas; devoted sons Lee (Cathy) and John (Sue); adored grandsons David (Jane), Thomas (Mary) and Isaac; beloved great-grandchildren Sean, Jake and Riley; many brothers- and sisters-in-law; and many devoted nieces and nephews. She greatly blessed the lives of everyone of her family and friends and loved on us all.

Visitation with family and friends will be from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, April 12 at Hermitage Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the funeral home at 10:00am on Saturday, April 13, with burial immediately following at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. Louise’s family will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorials be made to Hermitage Hills Baptist Church.

We will never, ever forget her laughter, her love and that incredible smile.