Oscar Eddie Coates, Sr.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Oscar Eddie Coates, Sr., 80, of Kershaw will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at First Baptist Church. The Rev. Bryant D. Fersner and Dr. Bill Coates will officiate. Inurnment will follow in the Kershaw City Cemetery. Mr. Coates died Saturday, February 16, at Springs Memorial Hospital, Lancaster. Born in Columbia, SC, he was the son of the late John Edward and Nettie Belle Catoe Coates. Mr. Coates retired as Assistant Director of the South Carolina Public Service Commission over the Transportation Department. He also served as a former deputy for Kershaw County and was the former Chief of Police for the Town of Kershaw. Mr. Coates was an avid music lover and enjoyed playing music on Tuesday night at the Capitol Cafe in Columbia for a number of years. He never met a stranger and enjoyed conversation with everyone he came in contact with. He was a Atlanta Braves fan and served his country during the Korean Conflict in the US Army. Surviving are his wife of 57 years; Billie Windham Coates of the home, 2 sons; Rick Coates and his wife Pam, Eddie Coates and his wife Karen all of Kershaw, a daughter; Jeri Gwinn and her husband Roy of Taylors, 5 grandchildren; Kyle Coates, Lance (Ashley) Coates, Joseph (Mindy) Coates, Reg (Cori) Gwinn, Angela Gwinn, 3 great grandchildren; Wyatt Hinson, Grant Coates and Caroline Gwinn, 4 brothers; W.L. “Bill” (Bobbie Jean) Coates, Elmer “Cotton” Coates, Emerson (Pat) Coates, Joel (Wanda) Coates , a sister-in-law; Linda Coates all of Kershaw. He was preceded in death by a brother; Harold Bruce Coates, Sr. and 2 sisters; Mildred Simpson and Jonnie C. Gardner. The family will receive friends, Monday, February 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home and other times at the home, 307 West Sumter Street, Kershaw. Memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 67, Kershaw, SC 29067