Marlene Branson Coats

Marlene Branson Coats, 85, of Tucker, Georgia passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

Marlene was born on May 6, 1932 to the late Carey Clyde and Mary Catherine Petty Branson in Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina. Her family moved to Morristown, Tennessee when she was 6 weeks old, then to Atlanta when she was 12. She attended Roosevelt High School in Atlanta, Georgia, Class Of 1951.

Marlene met Charles Derward Coats at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia where both were members. They were married there on June 28, 1952.

Her primary occupation was being a wonderful wife and mother to three daughters but outside the home she worked as a graphic artist and church administrator. Marlene was also very involved in church and other volunteer work: Altar Guild, Daughters of the King, Episcopal Church Women, PTA, Garden Club and others. She was also very supportive of Charles’ work with the Boy Scouts. She enjoyed gardening and canning and became a Certified Master Preserver through the Georgia Extension Service. She was the official barbeque sauce maker for Charles’ fabulous chicken open-air barbeques. One of Marlene's joys later in life was being Oma to her four granddaughters and great-granddaughter. She helped care for, nurture, and influence them all throughout their lives.

Marlene is survived by her daughters, Janet (William) Wilson of Avondale Estates, Georgia, Sandra Thornburg of Phenix City, Alabama, son-in-law M. David Harvey of Huntsville, Alabama, her sister, Catherine B. (Gene) Parker of Milton, Florida, and her sister-in-law Dorothy C. Halleck of McDonough, Georgia. Marlene was predeceased by husband Charles D. Coats, daughter Nancy C. Harvey, sisters Alpha B. DeLoach, Helen B. McKinney, Elizabeth B. Guptill and brother, Joseph William Branson. She is also survived by four granddaughters Mary (Tyler) Goss of Benton, Louisiana, Ashley Harvey of Pensacola, Florida; Victoria Thornburg and Catherine Thornburg, both of Phenix City, Alabama; one great-granddaughter; several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

The Funeral/Memorial Service for Marlene B. Coats will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 3PM at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 (entrance to the parking lot is off of East Lake Drive).
A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations in memory of Marlene B. Coats to Episcopal Church Women of Church of the Epiphany, 2089 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307.