Nell Coates

Nell Griffin Caldwell Coates was called home to our Lord on Tuesday, January 15, 2019. Born September 25, 1925, to Horace and Lena Caldwell, she was the sixth child of the eight siblings who all predeceased her.  Maggie Carter, Arlene Morris, Frances Moorefield, Helen Almond, Nancy Caldwell, William Caldwell and James Caldwell.  The last of her generation a giving individual who touched the lives of all who knew her. She married Allan Barksdale Coates on January 3, 1946 and they raised two daughters.  Jamey Coates Turner and Nancy Coates Sullivan (Paul).  She was totally dedicated to her family in all aspects of their lives.  Always giving wise advice and unconditional love.  She also passed along her love for shopping, treating yourself every once in awhile and always having a good meal.  Before moving to Danville, Virginia she was a permanent fixture in Gladys, Virginia where she was a devoted member of Kedron Baptist Church for over 50 years.  She loved her church family and friends and kept in touch with them by writing a sweet note, a visit or a phone call.  She was one of the last to drive and so often many depended on her for their daily travels to doctors’ appointments, medicine pickups, the grocery store and then ending the day with a meal. Nell graduated from Gladys High School and she looked forward to catching up with her classmates each year.  Although, the group had grown smaller they still enjoyed laughter and fellowship together. She had a long career with the Campbell County Circuit Court System for 35 years.  She was very fond of her coworkers and often spoke of them.  She was a hard worker and shared that work ethic and importance of getting a good education with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She devoted her life to putting every effort in sharing her influence of life’s lessons and her faith to all who crossed her path.  Especially, her grandchildren David Allan Loving, Matthew Charles Loving (Diana), Tracy Lynn Turner, and Leslie Turner Curtis.  Her Great Grandchildren, who were the apple of her eye, Turner Ray Curtis, Morgan Caroline Curtis, Dalton Thomas Curtis and Olivia Rose Loving.  She loved to hear stories about and from them all and “didn’t miss a trick”.  They loved doing things for her as much as she loved doing things for them.  The impact she made on their lives will live through them forever and there is nothing that they will honor and cherish anymore.  Her faith was strong, her wisdom was strong, and her love was strong, and it was known and reciprocated each and every day. Nell is also proceeded in death by her husband and her Son-in-law, Robert Edward “Bob” Turner IV both in 1992.  After moving to Danville in 2011 Nell became a member of Shermont Baptist Church and attended faithfully until just recently when her health prevented her to do so but she still kept up with the events and the people of the church.  That is why it is very important to her to give back in lieu of flowers to the Shermont Building Fund and to God’s Pit Crew.  She had a passion for the growth of this church and loved the mission of God’s Pit Crew. Please celebrate with us this wonderful, Godfearing women’s life on Saturday January 26, 2019 at 11:00 at Kedron Baptist Church in Gladys, Virginia.  At Nell’s request she would like to feed everyone in attendance immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall. Now I leave you with one last request from the three little children who knew her best,             With every cup of coffee and every jelly roll; Remember our Great Nannie and her sweet and caring soul. Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street is serving the Coates family.  Online condolences may be directed to www.townesfuneralhome.com.