Obituary for Madeline Clark Coates
Madeline Clark Coates of Acorn, Virginia died on Friday, April 8, 2022 at the age of 95. She was the devoted wife and widow of Albert Page Coates, and lived in the home they shared on Fleetwood Farm until just a few weeks ago.
Madeline was born the youngest of seven children of Hiram and Karo Clark of Village. As a young woman she moved to Washington, D. C. to work and live with her sister Nell, but returned to marry Albert in 1946. She lived a full life typical of a farmer’s wife in the Northern Neck, which meant cooking huge meals 3 times a day, performing whatever jobs were needed to help Albert on the farm and in the tomato factory, and raising three children, all the while managing to keep her home spotless. She also worked outside the home at times, including at the Acorn Post Office with her best friend Frances Hudson, and as a caretaker for several elderly patients in need of assistance in their homes. She was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Lyells for 75 years.
Madeline had boundless energy, stamina, and an iron will. She was a wonderful cook who rarely used a recipe or measured anything. Her sweet pickles were the best and always in high demand. She will be remembered by her family as a caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.
She is survived by her children, S. Lynn Coates of Tappahannock and Andrew Page Coates of Hampton; her grandchildren Shannon Page Harrison of Mt. Holly, John Tyler Coates of Glendale, CA, Christopher Page Coates of Hampton, and David Alexander Coates of Asheville, NC; and her great-grandchildren: Albert Page Harrison of Oldhams, Austin Chambers Harrison of Oldhams, Joshua Clark Harrison of Richmond, and Jared Christopher Harrison of Tappahannock. She was predeceased by her son, John Albert Coates of Montross.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Beulah Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home, Montross Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Beulah Baptist Church, 130 Beulah Lane, Warsaw, VA 22572.
Madeline was born the youngest of seven children of Hiram and Karo Clark of Village. As a young woman she moved to Washington, D. C. to work and live with her sister Nell, but returned to marry Albert in 1946. She lived a full life typical of a farmer’s wife in the Northern Neck, which meant cooking huge meals 3 times a day, performing whatever jobs were needed to help Albert on the farm and in the tomato factory, and raising three children, all the while managing to keep her home spotless. She also worked outside the home at times, including at the Acorn Post Office with her best friend Frances Hudson, and as a caretaker for several elderly patients in need of assistance in their homes. She was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Lyells for 75 years.
Madeline had boundless energy, stamina, and an iron will. She was a wonderful cook who rarely used a recipe or measured anything. Her sweet pickles were the best and always in high demand. She will be remembered by her family as a caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.
She is survived by her children, S. Lynn Coates of Tappahannock and Andrew Page Coates of Hampton; her grandchildren Shannon Page Harrison of Mt. Holly, John Tyler Coates of Glendale, CA, Christopher Page Coates of Hampton, and David Alexander Coates of Asheville, NC; and her great-grandchildren: Albert Page Harrison of Oldhams, Austin Chambers Harrison of Oldhams, Joshua Clark Harrison of Richmond, and Jared Christopher Harrison of Tappahannock. She was predeceased by her son, John Albert Coates of Montross.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Beulah Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home, Montross Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Beulah Baptist Church, 130 Beulah Lane, Warsaw, VA 22572.