J.B. Coates

WEAVERVILLE—J.B. Coates, age 82, of 130 Palmer Ford Road, died Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Mr. Coates was born October 26, 1927, in Madison County where he lived before moving to Buncombe County. He was a resident of Charlotte for a number of years before moving to Weaverville in 1973. He was formerly employed at Fancy Food of the Carolinas and later managed Kathryn's Cheese House in Asheville. After retirement he enjoyed farming. He was an avid bowler in the winter and summer leagues at Skylanes. Mr. Coates was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the US Army. He was a member and deacon at Mt. Bethel Freewill Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harve and Velna Robinson Coates; his wife, Elna Sharpe Coates who died in 2003; son-in-law, Eugene Owen; brother, Herbert Coates; and sister, Hazel Bradley. Surviving are his daughters, Linda Kirkland and husband Michael, and Donna C. Owen Torres and husband Miguel, all of Weaverville; son, Randy S. Coates and wife Kim of Alexander; sisters, Ruby Banegas of Summerville, S.C., Lois Allman and husband Grady of Candler, and Betty Hipps and husband Horace of Isle of Palms, S.C.; brother, John Coates and wife Catherine of Alexander; sisters-in-law, Eula Mae Ball of Weaverville and Shirley Coates of Spruce Pine; grandchildren, Justin, Trish and Benny Owen, Sarah Elizabeth Coates, Fernanda and Tamara Torres; great grandchildren, Jacob and Taylor Owen and Asia McAdams; and granddaughter by heart, Samantha Marie Lambert. His funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, February 22, 2010, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Rev. Mike Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, Weaverville. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home. A special thanks to the ladies at Wachovia Bank in Weaverville for their kindness to Mr. Coates. www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com