Mary E. Coates

Mary Elizabeth Coates, daughter of the late Harriette Grant Coates and James Z. Coates, Sr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 19, 1935. She departed this life peacefully on Saturday April 23, 2005 after a long illness. Mary was the "Baby Girl" of nine children - with three older sisters and five younger brothers. Mary loved her family and put their needs before her own. Mary attended the public schools of Baltimore graduating from Douglass High School in February 1954. After attending Morgan State University for two years, she left college and entered Government Service. Mary worked 10 years for the Internal Revenue Service before transferring to the Social Security Administration where she remained for twenty-one years retiring in 1988 as a Claims Authorizer. In 1990 Mary joined the Clerical staff of Howard County Public Schools where she served as Secretary in the Maintenance Department and at Burleigh Manner Middle School. She retired from Howard County in the year 2000. Mary never really retired. In between careers in Government Service and the public schools, she became the church secretary and returned to be a substitute teacher in the Howard County schools. Never having a family of her own, Mary became a "mother" to many - friends, coworkers, and relatives. She listened to the heartfelt concerns of all who came to her. She gave advice, counsel, rebuke, comfort and encouragement to anyone she encountered. Her entire life was dedicated to helping others. As a child she stood up for and protected her sisters and brothers. As a young woman she cared for her many nieces and nephews, whether sick or well - Aunt Mary was always there. She shopped all the time, and in her room she kept boxes of gifts. No one who came to visit her during the holidays and special days left without a gift. She made everyone feel special. In later years she took care of her parents, lovingly nursing her widowed mother during her last days. Mary's dedication to people reached out beyond her family to her co-workers, friends and neighbors. She was a confidant and Big Sister to many young women on her job. She had a friendly and sweet smile and a kind word whenever and wherever you met her. Mary leaves to cherish her memory: her three sisters, Harriette Lane Johnson, Winifred Henderson and Doris D. Coates; her five brothers, James Z. Coates, Jr., Paul Anthony Coates, Michael J. Coates, Ridgley S. Coates and Robert H. Coates; one uncle, Joseph Coates (Alverta); three aunts, Cecelia Grady, Mildred Jackson and Gaither Coates; two goddaughters, Tanya Travers Williams and Allison McClarry Toland; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, friends and a loving church family. Submitted with sorrow; yet in VICTORY The Family

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Mary E. Coates

April 19, 1935 - April 23, 2005