Helen R. Coats

Helen Riley Coats, one hundred, went to meet the Lord on January 27, 2022.

Helen was born May 10, 1921, to Charley and Mabel Riley in Hartsville, Tennessee near Nashville.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, J. L. Coats; son, James Memory Coats; granddaughter, Consuela Conner; grandson, Christopher Jackson; great-granddaughter, Cassidy Young; great-grandson, Cyrus Speck; three brothers, Delmar Riley, Horace Dean Riley, and Charles Huel Riley; five sisters, Hazel Wallace, Roberta Botts, Myra Garmon, Louise Braga, and Lucille McHenry; a niece, Mary Sue Harvey; a nephew, Ronnie Harvey; sons-in-law, Dwane Jackson and Clayton Conner; her father-in-law, Memory Thompson Coats; her mother-in-law, Birdie Pedigo Coats; and brothers-in-law, Irving Wallace, Clay Harvey, and Roger Botts.

Helen began her working career as an accountant in Glasgow, Kentucky. From this she and her husband J.L began the journey in the oil and gas business as owners of The J.L. Coats Drilling and Trucking Co. which was one of the largest in the Appalachian Basin Area operating ten rotary rigs with a fleet of trucks, dozers, and various other oilfield equipment with I.C.C. trucking rights in thirty-one states. Together they were former members of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, Southeastern Ohio Oil and Gas Association, West Virginia Oil and Gas Association, Kentucky Oil and Gas Association, Cambridge Elks, Cambridge VFW, Cambridge Country Club and Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. Helen’s proudest accomplishments would be her beloved family. Everyone loved her famous dumplings, biscuits, and red eye gravy. Helen remained proud holding her driver’s license into the age of one hundred making her daily trips to the post office. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Helen is survived by two daughters, Carol Coats Goff and Patricia Jackson; daughter-in-law, Sue Coats; former companion, David Heddleson; grandchildren, James (Amanda) Memory Coats Jr., Monika Coats, Marnie (Anthony) Young, Des (Jeff) Hupp, Cory (Jenn) Jackson, Jason (Kim) Goff, and Justin (Rachel) Goff; great-grandchildren, Justus, McCoy, Jade, Jagger Goff, Paige Atkins, Tyler Jackson, Chloe Jackson, Cecily (Michael Speck) Scott, Katosha (Adam) Jessie, Torie (Johnny) Hatton, Kishma (Jason) James, Natasha (Jeremy) Darnes, Crimson Hupp, Stasha (Travis) Dowell, Savannah (Brian) Smith, Shyler Kjelsen, Allie (Michael) Moons, Asa Young, Maly Young, Ashton Young, Lila James, Maxton James, Neagan James, Aveah Becker, Emra Dowell, Mia Dowell, Ava Becker, Lydia Becker, Cooper Hatten, Harper Speck, Nash Jessie, Chaselyn Moons, Chevelle Smith, and Axle Smith; special nieces, Fay Turner of Tennessee and Marla Wallace of Texas; nephews, Rob and Brad Garmon of Kentucky, and Bill Wallace of Texas; and special longtime friend, Laura Jo Berry.

Visitation will be held Tuesday (February 1, 2022) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge, where funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with Pastor Keith Taylor officiating. Friends and family are welcome, but due to COVID-19, please take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety and everyone else's should you decide to attend.

Burial to follow at Guernsey Memory Gardens on Rt 40 East of Cambridge.