James Coats & Elizabeth Hart (daughter of Henry & Nancy (Rainey) Hart, were married about 1827 in Bedford County TN.
They moved to Texas County MO before 1846. They were the parents of 13 children: They were John Henry, William Burdet, Mary Ann (Hughes), Nancy Redentine (Noblin), James Clendenon, Catherine, Wilson, Sarah Howard (Fielden), Aga, Elizabeth Jane (Smyer), Thomas Benton, Tabitha and Payton Lafayette.
Cammaliza Coats was born in Kentucky Apr 19, 1827, died September 29, 1921, aged 94 years, 5 months, 10 days. She resided in Kentucky during her girlhood and early womanhood, her maiden name being Forrester. She was married to James Crawford. To this union were born the following children: E. M., T. G., M. E., V. N. and George Crawford and Mrs. Sarah Florida. About the year 1856 she and family moved to Buchannon County, Mo. Here her husband died and she and children moved to Texas Co. where she remained until her death. In the latter part of the 50's she was married to James Coats. To this union were born M. D., A. C., W. B. and Cordelia, Fanny and Camma Coats also one child died in infancy. She was the mother of 13 children.
In early childhood she joined the Methodist church, but in later years she joined and was baptized into the fellowship of the Baptist church at Union, where she remained a faithful member for about 66 years until the time of her death. After the death of her last husband she lived with her children, the greater part of the time with her son, A. C. Coats. She was a devoted christian and her greatest pleasure was to be at her home church. Her kind words and christian deeds are known to everyone in the community.
Grandma Coats has lived a long and faithful life. She has kept the faith and won the fight for the treasures in Heaven. She sleeps in peace. The funeral was preached by the pastor of Houston Bapitst church at Union church, where also her remains were laid to rest.
God bless the memory of Grandma Coats and her loving friends......H. B. Tillery
Obituary & Photos contributed by Marguerette Powell (Houston MO Herald June 6, 1921)
Funeral Rites For Lifelong Houston Lady Held Monday
Johnsie Mahala Coats, daughter of Wilson and Phamy Coats, was born February 28, 1872, in Arkansas; departed this life February 2, 1957, at Houston, Mo., making her age at time of death 84 years, 11 months and 2 days.
She was married to Fred W. Florida, November 22, 1891. To this union two sons were born, Harry Bland and William Leslie Florida. Her husband preceded her in death November 16, 1931.
On November 17, 1936, she was married to Henry Schindler. He preceded her in death November 5, 1946.
One son, William Leslie, and a granddaughter, Delores June Florida, also preceded her in death.
She leaves to mourn her passing, one son, Harry B. Florida of Oklahoma City, Okla.; one grandson, Leslie Gene Florida, and two great grandsons of Lansing, Mich.; one brother, T. K. Coats, Clara, Mo.; four nieces and two nephews.
She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and united with the Union Baptist Church, later moving her membership to the Houston Baptist Church. While health permitted she was active in church work, always loyal to her Savior and her church.
She was a faithful member of the Eureka Rebekah Lodge No. 21, and will be sadly missed by fellow members.
All the years of a full life she was considerate of others and loved her family and friends unselfishly. Her friendly spirit won her many friends and it was a joy to meet and visit with her. Family and friends will mourn her passing from our midst.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, at the Houston Baptist Church, conducted by the Pastor, Rev. E. G. Walker. Pall-bearers were George Harmom, Walter Redmon, W. P. Cole, Chas. Elmore, Farrell Jarvis and Ansel Coats. Songs were rendered by Max Burkhead with Mrs. Don Burch as accompanist. Organ music was furnished by Mrs. Earl Burnett. Burial was in Ozark Cemetery with members of Eureka Rebekah Lodge No. 21 officiating at the graveside service. Elliott Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral.
Out-of-town relatives attending the funeral were: the son, Harry B. Florida, and Mrs. Florida, of Oklahoma City; a niece, Mrs. Lillie Garrett, and her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Shope, all of Guthrie, Okla; and Mrs. Ruth Jackson of St. Louis.
Obituary contributed by Marguerette Powell
