Obituary of Bessie Matthews Coates

Bessie Maria Matthews Coates, 92, of Rustburg, passed away Thursday, April 5, 2018 at her home after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late John Thomas Coates Sr.

Born August 24, 1925 in Halifax County, VA, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Edward and Rose Ella Wilkins Matthews. She was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by one daughter, Iris C. Bryant (Calvin) and one son John “Tommy” Coates, Jr.; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Bryant (Megan), Jennifer Gunter (Chad) and Justin Coates; four great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Jacob, Ethan Bryant and Barrett Gunter. She was preceded in death by six brothers and one sister.

The family wishes to thank the CENTRA Hospice staff for their dedicated care given Mrs. Coates.

A funeral service will be held Monday, April 9, 2018 at 1:00 PM Diuguid Waterlick Chapel with the Rev. Shelton Miles officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2-4 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Virginia Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer, 2050 Langhorne Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24501 Society or The  American Heart Association,4717 Park Place Ct, Glen Allen, VA 23060.

Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory, Waterlick Chapel, 237-2722, is serving the family. On-line condolences may be sent to www.diuguidfuneralservice.