Alfred Wells “Spot” Coats, 89, a resident of Johnston County, passed away Friday, July 29, 2016 at Springbrook Nursing & Rehabilitation Center of Clayton.
A native of Johnston County, he was the son of the late Amos Pou Coats and Elizabeth Irene Wells. He was recently recognized for having the longest years of membership at Highland Baptist Church. He served on various committees and building campaigns at Highland. He was owner operator of Al Coats Sales Company. Spot played semi-pro baseball in the Cleveland community, playing in the Cotton Blossom, Johnston County, and Tri-County Leagues. He also played in the Cape Fear and Tobacco State Leagues after World War II.
He was drafted in 1945 by the US Army and honorably discharged in 1947 after being stationed in Paris, France.
He founded and organized the Cleveland Little League Association. He coached in the league and also umpired throughout Johnston County. He helped to establish the Old Timers Baseball Meeting, which has been active since 1992. Alfred coached Highlight Baptist’s softball team for thirty years. One of the great joys of his life was his attendance of 48 World Series.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. August 2, 2016 at Highland Baptist Church in Raleigh by Rev. Byron Greene and Rev. Carlton McDaniel. Burial will be in Mt. Creek Baptist Church Cemetery north of Oxford at 4:00 P.M.
Surviving are his wife of sixty-five years, Ruth Blackwell Coats, three daughters, Pamela Ruth Coats Durham (Otis) of Kernersville, Angela Mildred Coats Bean (Jimmie) of Swansboro, Melody Elizabeth Coats Pearce (Keith) of Raleigh, a son, Alfred Dale Coats (Helen) of Durham, a sister, Esther Mae Coats of Garner, two granddaughters; Megan Ruth Sapp (Bobby), Mary Elizabeth Pearce, five grandsons; Bradley Wells Coats (Lea), Douglas Johnston Coats, Joshua Keith Pearce, Samuel Jordan Pearce, Andrew James Bean and two great-granddaughters; Margaret Wells Coats and Aleida Ruth Sapp. He was preceded in death by brothers; Tom, Rouse, Pou Jr., Bobby, George and a sister Dolly Gray.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Transitions Life Care, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, N.C. and Highland Baptist Church.
Visitation will be held Monday, August 1, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Highland Baptist Church in Raleigh and at other times at the home.
Tributes
Leave a tributein our thoughts & prayers.
Love,
---Henry & Faye
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Alfred when Pam brought him by our school. He was a wonderful gentleman that never knew a stranger, and it was such a pleasure hearing his baseball stories. I know he will be terribly missed, but he will always be in your hearts. May God be with you.
Leave a Tribute
in our thoughts & prayers.
Love,
---Henry & Faye
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Alfred when Pam brought him by our school. He was a wonderful gentleman that never knew a stranger, and it was such a pleasure hearing his baseball stories. I know he will be terribly missed, but he will always be in your hearts. May God be with you.