Doris Coats

Mrs. Doris Louise Fornis Coats was born August 2, 1929 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Famous Fornis, Sr. in Thomaston, AL.

She confessed a love for Christ at an early age and joined Glover’s Primitive Baptist Church in Thomaston, AL. On December 27, 1950, Doris united in holy matrimony with John Berkeley Coats, Sr.

The couple later moved to Birmingham, AL and joined Crumbey Bethel Primitive Baptist Church in Fairfield, AL. During her time at Crumbey Bethel Primitive Baptist Church, Doris served as an active participant with the #1 Usher Board and the G. W. Gibson Bible Class.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Berkeley Coats, Sr. of Birmingham, AL; her parents, Famous and Elnora Fornis of Thomaston, AL, her great granddaughter, Lauryn Moses of Jonesboro, GA; her brother, Henry Fornis of Tuscaloosa, AL , and her sisters, Jessie Abrams of Fairfield, AL and Julia Voltz of Saginaw, MI.

At sunrise, on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, Doris answered the call as God said, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

She leaves to cherish her memory: six loving children, John B. Coats, Jr. (Rosa) of New Bern, NC, Carolyn C. Amison (John), Curtis L. Coates of Junction City, KS , Alvin W. Coates, Sr., Sheryl C. Reed, and Tywanda Y. Coates all of Birmingham, AL, a dedicated brother, Famous Fornis, Jr. (Sarah) of Tuscaloosa, AL, a caring sister, Mary M. Brown of Milwaukee, WI,  an affectionate sister-in-law, Mary Coats of Pensacola, FL, eighteen devoted grandchildren, twenty-five adventurous great grandchildren, and three admiring great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Doris Louise Fornis Coats’ smile, wisdom, and kind spirit will forever be remembered. Although she was a meek woman, her personality managed to touch the lives of many people and her legacy will live on.

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