Mary Elna Coats

August 25, 1928, to September 20, 2023

Mary Elna Coats passed away at her home in Tomball on September 20, 2023, leaving a blessed

"Gem of a Life".

Mary was preceded in death by her father and mother, Z and Mary Elnora Peoples, her beloved husband of 57 years, James (Jimmy) Coats, daughter, Cathy Walker; son in law, Mike Walker; her siblings, Jack Peoples, LZ Peoples, Nora Beth Dillinger, Jimmie Lee Hall, and Jerry Wilson Peoples, son-in-law Jerry Hall, and grandson Anthony Walker.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Teri Hall Dorsey and husband Robert, grandson, Jeremy Coats Griffin and wife Emily, granddaughters, Jaycee Rose McKinzie and husband Steve, Mica Willey, Mim and husband Billy Brumbaugh, Marit Hickmon and husband; 17 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren; and loved nephew, James Peoples, niece, Judy (Chuck) Polinsky and many other beloved nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews; countless friends including her Sonshine- Joy Class at First Baptist Church Tomball.

As a faithful Christian, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, she built a wonderful and blessed life for herself and her family. Mary was a member of the First Baptist Church of Tomball for 75 years. Often, she would say, "I said a prayer for you, and everything is going to work out."

In 1950, Mary and Jimmy Coats went for an afternoon drive from Conroe to Tomball. When they arrived at Tomball, they stopped by the local drugstore for ice cream, and knew from that day forward that Tomball was their home. The next weekend, based on an invitation from a gentleman they had met at the drugstore, they returned to Tomball to attend church at First Baptist Church, and once again, they drove home knowing FBC would be their home for life. Over the next few months, they made their move to Tomball and First Baptist and started their wonderful life in a community that welcomed them, their business, Coats Tomball Jewelers, and their family. Mary spent the following years active in most all Church and civic organizations, and volunteering and supporting all areas of Tomball School activities. She served as Tomball Election Judge for more than 25 years, and Assistant Judge for the Harris County Elections, a substitute teacher in the Magnolia School District for 25 years. She was an avid bridge player and loved "Bridge Days" at the Tomball Community Center until the age of 92.

Mary's welcoming love of life and famous "Meme stories" will be missed.

Serving as pallbearers are Jeremy Coats Griffin, Brett Aronson-Willey, Miguel Walker, Walker Hickmon, Caleb Peters, Will McKinzie, James Peoples and Joe Featherston.

The family will receive visitors Sunday, September 24th, 2023, from 5 PM to 8PM at Klein Funeral Home, 1400 West Main Street, Tomball, Texas, 77375. Funeral Services will be held Monday, September 25th, 2023, at 1 PM at First Baptist Church of Tomball, 401 Oxford Street, Tomball, Texas 77375, with REV. James Clark officiating. Interment to follow in Klein Memorial Park 249 in Pinehurst, Texas.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church Tomball, https://www.fbctomball.org/give or by mail: 400 Oxford St., Tomball, TX 77375.