Frederick Guffy Coats

Mr. Frederick Guffy Coats, Sr. died Thursday, May 5, 2011 at Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia, Georgia. Fred was born in Gainesville, Florida, on July 5th, 1926, the son of the late William Taff Coates, Sr. and the late Julia Harris Coats. He grew up in High Springs, Florida and attended the University of Florida. He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. Upon discharge from the Navy he began a career in the poultry industry that took him to Gainesville, Florida and then to Atlanta, Georgia. He was very active in his industry, serving as President of the Georgia Poultry Federation and the Southeastern Poultry Federation. He was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Avondale Estates, Georgia, serving in many capacities including Chairman of the Board of Deacons and Chairman of the Building Committee. He taught many Sunday School classes that positively impacted many young people. He was preceded in death by his wife of wife of fifty six years, Marguerite Thomas Coats. He is survived by three daughters, Charlotte Coats Moses and husband Rusty, Mary Julia Coats, Cindy Coats Barber and husband Chris; two sons, Chaz Coats and wife Nelda, and Frederick Guffy Coats, Jr. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Dr. Julie Ann Routhier, R. Morris Moses, Jr., Chandler Coats, Maribeth Joyner, Rachel Jones, Taff Jones, Justin Barber, and Bethany Barber, one brother, Richard Coats, one sister, Ida Palmer, five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at the First Baptist Church of Avondale Estates with Rev. Clay Bowden and Dr. Truett Gannon officiating. Interment will be in Decatur Cemetery. The family will receive friends on
Saturday, May 7th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at A. S. Turner & Sons.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033