Charles Farrell Coates, 77, died Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at McLeod Medical Center in Dillon.
     Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church with burial in Evergreen Cemetery directed by Cooper Funeral Home.  Visitation will be held 1:00-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
     Born in Dillon, SC, May 28, 1936, he was the son of the late James Baston Coates and Mollie Daniels Coates.  He was a member of Mt.Calvary Baptist Church where he was a former Deacon.  He loved his church and his church family, and was an active participant until his health failed. He was employed for 30 years with McArdle Printing Company in DC/Maryland, and he retired from Jay-Max Sales in Palisade, CO.  Charles participated in the Greater Manassas (VA) football and baseball little leagues as a coach and mentor for more than 30 years. 
     Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Virginia Coates of Dillon; sons, Charles Anthony “Tony” Coates (Sue) of Coco Beach, FL, and Steven Coates of Fredericksburg, VA; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruth Keel of Leland, NC, and Maxine Fletcher of Clifton, CO.
     Mr. Coates was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Sprouse; grandson, Ricky Sprouse; brother, Tilghman Coates; and his sisters, Catherine Brown, Rachel Booth, and Sarah Elizabeth Coates.