Reverend James Clifford Coates

Reverend James Clifford Coates, age 91, passed away January 12, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. He was born in Bellevue, KY to John and Edna Galvagni Coates. After serving in the Marine Corps, he graduated from Georgetown College where he met his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Armstrong. Upon completion of his Doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Seminary he served as pastor of churches in El Dorado, Ark, Little Rock, Ark, Middlesboro, KY and Avon Park, FL. He also served as Associate Director of Missions for The Knox County Association of Baptist and as a professor at Campbellsville University. He also held a Doctorate from The University of Tennessee. Jim was a founding member of the Baptist Disaster Relief Team in Highlands County. He served as Kiwanis Lt-Governor and later Governor for the Kentucky-Tennessee District. He also served as Kiwanis Lt-Governor in Florida. He is survived by his daughter Cheryl (Floyd) Henson, Orlando, FL, Grandchildren Jennifer Henson, Winston Salem, NC, Patrick Henson (Meegan), Columbus, Ga, and Benjamin Henson, Orlando, Fl. A celebration of life service will be on Saturday, January 24th, at First Baptist Sebring at 2 p.m., family will receive guests at 1 p.m. Burial will be at The National Cemetery on January 26th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Orange Blossom Baptist Association Disaster Relief Fund. Arrangements Entrusted To: Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home 111 E. Circle St. Avon Park, FL 33825 863-453-3101 www.stephensonnelsonfh.com