Robert Donald Coats, Sr.

Mr. Robert Donald Coats, Sr., age 73, of 1855 Bellview Road Rockmart passed away Sunday, December 28, 2008 in a Rome Medical Center following several months of declining health.


He was born in Polk County, GA on March 3, 1935 a son of the late Leonard Lee Coats and Annie Inola Alsobrook Coats. Mr. Coats had lived the greater part of his life in Rockmart and was of the Christian faith. He was employed with the General Motors Corporation working in the Lakewood Assembly Plant in Atlanta and retired following 30 years of service in 1988. While with General Motors he served as a committeeman in Local 34 of the United Auto Workers Union. Mr. Coats was a member of Rockmart Lodge # 97 F. & A.M. He was preceded in death by a son James Anthony Coats in 1957 and by three brothers and four sisters.


Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ruth Coats of Rockmart to whom he was married on December 14, 1955; five children: Robert D. Coats, Jr., of AL, Randall Scott Coats, Rockmart, Christopher Lee Coats, Rockmart, Kenneth Bradley Coats, Rockmart and Charla Michelle Ray of Rydal, GA; three brothers: Leonard Lee Coats, Jr. of AL, Ralph Coats, Cochran, GA and Lamar Coats, Cedartown; two sisters: Emily Bryan, Alpharetta and Jodi Gorman, Smyrna; 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren also survive.


Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home with Rev. Moses Wilson, Rev. Danny Tucker, and Rev. Marshall Campbell officiating. Interment will follow in the Bellview Baptist Church Cemetery.


Pallbearers will include: Marshall Campbell, Chris Conring, Leo Conring, Carl Wheeler, Darin Cantrell, Wilson Lopez and Nicholas Reed.


The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.


The Alvis Miller & Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Mr. Robert Donald Coats, Sr.