Barbara R. Coats

Coats, Barbara Rea, age 84, lifelong resident of Tampa Florida passed away Monday, July 2, 2018 at her home residence surrounded by loving family. Barbara lost her long hard fought battle to stomach cancer. Her family would like to extend a special thanks to Seasons Hospice for their support, dedication, and caring service. Surviving family members are very grateful for the prayers, support and get well wishes from family and friends.

Barbara was born in Tampa, Florida on December 17, 1933 and was a direct descendent of the historically famous Murphy settlement that took place in Pavo, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother America Jane Murphy and maternal grandfather James M. Hester. She was also preceded in death by her paternal grandmother Lucy Livinia Stanley and paternal grandfather M. Calvin Sullivan. She was also preceded in death by her mother Bertha Hester and father Clarence Marion Sullivan of Thonotosassa. She was also preceded in death by her sister Edna Mae Rachel, brother Clarence “Buddy” Sullivan, and sister Kathleen Sullivan. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth James Coats, of Tampa.

Barbara Coats is survived by her three sons, Michael Alan Coats and wife Michele Coats of Hudson, Florida; Randal Wayne Coats and wife Dalila Coats of Tampa, Florida; and Glenn Molina-Coats and spouse Alberto Molina-Coats of Tampa, Florida. She is also survived by grandson Carlos Coats and wife Lisabeth Coats of Springhill, Florida and grandson Richard Coats. Barbara is also survived by great grandson Josiah Coats.

Barbara worked briefly in the cigar box factories at Tampa’s historic Ybor City and also remained a full-time housewife. She was a loving dedicated mother. She was a wonderful cook and was well known for her famous potato salad, French toast, mashed potatoes, and grits to name just a few. She was a very sweet kind lady who also possessed a love for sweet and desserts. Her motto was , “Have dessert first, because life is short”. She also shared a love for southern fried cooking frequently eating at Cracker Barrel. She loved music and musicals. Her favorite song to listen to was Eidelweiss from the music soundtrack “The Sound of Music”. She also had a love for Bluegrass and country music. She was an expert rummy player and also loved to partake in a game of Texas no limit hold em poker.

Barbara was a Christian of the Baptist Faith and was baptized in the Hillsborough River in her mid 40s turning her life over to the Lord. She had a strong belief in God and prayed oftentimes before dinner and meals. Her favorite color was green and she loved to tell jokes and laugh even making herself the brunt of many jokes. She loved flowers, the outdoors, garage and yard sales, swimming, and being next to water such as rivers, lakes and oceans. She loved dogs and her most favorite was a cocker spaniel named Corky Rivera Coats. He brought her so much joy in his 13 years of life and companionship with her.

Those who knew and met Barbara always complimented her by saying how sweet she was. She was kind , thoughtful, loving, wonderful and a delightful person to be around. She will be dearly missed and may she rest in peace.