Mansel Theodore Coats, 95, son of Asa Clayton and Sibbie Ann Maris Coats, was born Aug. 23, 1902, at the old Coats farm in Union community. He died Jan. 21, 1998, at Houston House. Mr. Coats' grandfather homesteaded the farm and Mansel lived there his entire life.
He married Nancy Edna Ward Jan., 4, 1930. They had recently celebrated their 68th anniversary. The Coats' had two daughters.
Mr. Coats was a genealogist and knew and remembered the old families of Texas County. He was often visited by people asking him about their family history. Mansel and Edna sang in a quartet at many funerals in Texas County.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Jesse, Bennie and Eldon. Surviving are his wife, Edna, of the home; two daughters, Versa Marie James and Marilyn June Ice of Houston; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and a step-great-grandson. Services were Jan. 24 at the Evans Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Robert Moger officiating. Burial was in the Union Cemetery.
Houston Herald Newspaper, Contributed by Maguerette Powell
