Lennie Lois Thomas Coates

August 7, 1921 – November 18, 2018

Lois T. Coates, 97, of Valrico, went home to be with the Lord on November 18, 2018.  Lois was born in Plant City, FL and lived all of her life in Hillsborough County.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.  She was a member of Riverhills Church of God and was very strong in her faith. She joined the church when she was eight years old and had the distinguished honor of being the longest attending member on the roll. For many years she and her husband, Dick, served as Sunday School teachers for the youth of the church.  She held numerous jobs but was noted mainly as the Jackson Heights Playground Director for the City of Tampa Recreation Department.  She was also the homeroom mother during all the years her five children went to Jackson Heights Elementary School and was the Girl Scout Leader for Troup 57. She dearly loved her family and enjoyed being involved in all their activities.  She was known to be a great seamstress and made many outfits for her entire family.  She loved traveling with her husband and family throughout the United States and Canada for many years. She was also an avid reader.  She is preceded in death by her parents Lennie Lou Timberlake Thomas and John Franklin Thomas, five brothers and two sisters.  Lois is survived by her loving husband of 76 years, Richard H. Coates;  children, Karen (Harvey) Tucker, Brenda (Jim) Gamberton, Marilou (Fred) Grimes, Rhonda (Ron) Noland, and Rick (Mary Anne) Coates; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandsons; and four great-great grandchildren; dearly beloved sister, Alice Thomas Hedrick; loved sister-in-law, Ida Coates Palmer and numerous nieces and nephews.  There will be a visitation on Friday, November 23, from 10-11 a.m. at Riverhills Church of God with the service immediately following.  Graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 24, at 12 noon at the High Springs Cemetery, High Springs, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Riverhills Church of God Missions.