Shirley Arlene (Watkins) Coates, of Oak Ridge, passed away on May 24, 2025, at the age of 87. She was born August 23, 1937 in Mineral Bluff, Georgia and was the daughter of Blaine Farmer and Mae (MacFarland) Farmer. She grew up in Etowah, Tennessee, and later lived in Kingston and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Modesto, California.

 

She was a lifelong Baptist. She retired in 1999 from Union Planters Bank, as head of the bookkeeping department at the Harriman branch.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings, as well as her two husbands, Elmer Watkins and Jay Coates.

 

She is survived by her sons and their wives, Mike (Kimberly) Watkins, of Knoxville and Dennis (Sharon) Watkins, of Kingston; three grandchildren, Paige (Watkins) Wright of Sylvania, Alabama, Lucas Watkins of Kingston, and Riley Watkins of Knoxville; two step-daughters, Karen Pliszka and Vicki Bender of California; two step-grandsons, Eric and Matthew Bender of California; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

 

The family is especially grateful for the loving care she received from the staff at The Alexander Guest House in Oak Ridge and the nurses and staff of Amedisys Hospice.

 

A graveside memorial service will be held at Kingston Memorial Gardens on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a memorial gift to your church or favorite charity.

 

Online register book can be signed at www.FrakerFuneralHome.net.

Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston in charge of arrangements.