Perry J. Brown Funeral Home | Greensboro, NC

Obituary For Reverend George Melvin Coates

Reverend George Melvin Coates, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2022 at his residence. Funeral will be held Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 1 pm Centenary United Methodist Church 2300 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, North Carolina. 12 pm Visitation. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park.

Professional service entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.

Rev. George Melvin Coates was born in Cleveland County, NC on Nov. 4, 1953, to George Washington Coates and Bertha Mae Briscoe Coates.

George Coates was educated in the Cleveland County School System graduating from Burns High School in 1971 with honors. After graduation he was nominated for and attended the 1971 Cohort of North Carolina Governor's School, after which he matriculated to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at Carolina, he was involved in several areas of student life. He took pride in being a member of the charter line of the Psi Delta Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Not long after graduation, he was employed by Northwestern Bank of Carrboro, NC. He then met and began courting Carrboro Police Officer Phyllis Ophelia Knight. They married Nov. 5, 1977. While Phyllis worked as a member of Law Enforcement, George continued his education at his beloved UNC and enrolled in the now, Kenan-Flagler Business School in 1981, where he received a master’s degree in business. As he earned his master’s degree, he gained employment with NCNB bank in Charlotte, NC. Subsequently, he moved to Greensboro, NC and served as the manager for Greensboro National Bank, NC. In January of 1983 George and Phyllis were blessed by the birth of their son George Marcell Coates. In 1987 George gained employment with the United Way of Greensboro as the Chief Operations Officer and remained employed with them for the next 15+ years. After leaving the United Way of Greensboro, he obtained the position of Chief Financial Officer for Triangle United Way of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, where he remained for seven years. He remained in the Non-Profit sector with his service to Moses Cone Hospital in the early 2000’s. After leaving Moses Cone Hospital, All the while God was tugging on his heart. He answered his call to ministry in 2007 and entered professional ministry shortly, thereafter, taking a true leap of faith. Forever the student, he enrolled at Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC and obtained his master’s in Divinity in 2011. His first pastoral appointment was Raleigh’s Cross Road and United Methodist Church where he served as his wife’s assistant (smile). Six months later, he was appointed to Triad UMC, Laughlin UMC, Newland St. UMC, and Hickory Grove UMC, where he served until his health declined.

George was not only a man of business, but also a man of faith. He loved God first, then his family and friends. He was devoted to his congregations and volunteered his services to many nonprofit organizations in the county of Guilford. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, son, and grandfather. (Also known as Opa) He will truly be missed.

He leaves to mourn his loving and devoted wife of almost 45 years, Rev. Phyllis K Coates, son Rev. George Marcell Coates (Keita) of Rocky Mount, NC; grandchildren Peter Emanuel and Alana Patience Coates also of Rocky Mount, NC; Siblings: Anne L. Vinson (Eugene) of Lawndale, NC, Lewis Coates (Maxine) of Clinton, Maryland, Lois C. Pullen of Valrico, FL., Daisy M. Ward (Johnny) of Shelby, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, and other relatives and friends.

Guest Book

Phyllis and George, I just learned of your loss. George was so kind and generous in helping me figure out all things finance when I started Reading Connections, and I enjoyed our connections off and on through the years. I've oft told the story of when I was Interim ED at another organization, he came and sat next to my desk 5 afternoons to figure out a budget for our UW grant. I had been there only a monht and didn't even know which programs would be able to continue. He gave just the help I needed at the time and I've always been grateful. And every encounter included a laugh. I know you have so many wonderful memories. Take care.

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George was so great about keeping in touch with Governor's School and UNC alumni. Praying for the family, Evelyn Dove-Coleman

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Deepest condolences to the coats family sending prayers Jarvis and Stephanie Smith

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Coates family, I am sorry for your loss. Rest in peace brother. Anthony Spinks

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May the special memories you made together help you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Keith, Hybernia, and Holli Sills

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Phyllis, I am praying for you and your family. May God give you comfort. Elizabeth Hutson-Ruff

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May God continue to bless you in your time of grief. Reverend Alexander McCorkle

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May God bless you and your family at this time sorrow he will strengthen your heart.

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I extend sincere condolences to the family of Reverend Coates. George was in the class behind me at UNC-Chapel Hill. Even then, the steadiness in his character foretold of his future spiritual journey. I pray that God will grant the family with comfort, strength, and peace as you accept his transitioning to be with our Heavenly Father. Charles H. Blackwell, Yanceyville, NC

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Phyllis, my deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family. Brenda Cathey

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Reverend Phyliss Coates and Family, I am thinking of you as you mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Reverend George Coates. His remarkable life spanned nearly every aspect of community life, business, non-profit, civic service, and faith leadership. Combined with your own service as a police officer, judicial officer, and UMC clergy, you two (and now your son) have made the communities you have served so much better through the love of Christ. Blessings to your family. David Wray

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Phyllis and George, Jr. May you find some degree of comfort from your faith, your family and your friends and may you find peace as you remember this great servant of God and his journey with Christ Jesus. Andy and Alice Brown

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To the family of Reverend George Coates, please remember the good times shared with your loved one. He is at Peace and resting in the arms of Our Heavenly Father. Love and Prayers to you all. Margaret, Ted and Ursula Williams

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Dear Phyllis and George Jr. I was saddened to hear about the loss our your love one. Rev. George was a humble and very compassionate man of God! He fought a good fight while keeping the Faith! He will be truly missed by everyone he blessed with his presence. God Bless, PE Anita Thompson

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Phyllis, Even though this is a sad journey, let the knowledge of knowing that God is still God and He has you and George, Jr. in His hands. He will wrap His love around you and peace will come. You and your family are forever in our prayers. Suzanne, Patricia and Joe, III.

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Phyllis, My sincere condolences to you and your family!! George was such a blessing and will be greatly missed by the many he came in contact with!! I am sending many prayers and love to you!! Your forever friend, Fran Mintz-Whitcomb

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We pray that God will continue to comfort you and your family during your time of sorrow.You have our deepest sympathy. We love you Albert & Mary Perkins

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Phyllis, Sending you prayers of comfort in your loss. God Bless and Keep you during your time of grief. Sharon M Saunders.

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Our prayers are with the family Victory Lodge #745

- Elaska Williams

To Phyllis and family, I asked for help in understanding and George gave me his time and shared his wisdom. I asked for additional help and George showed up. Clearly George was a man of courage and conviction of heart and faith to make things better. Please know, that if not the world around him, at least I have been made better for having known him. You all have my sincere condolances and constant prayers. Collegue and friend, Pastor Rick LeBaube

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Phyllis, George Marcell, and family, James and I are saddened by the passing of George. However, having a soul-saving relationship with Jesus gives us the assurance that George is rejoicing in heaven. No doubt there will be many tears, but we have permission to rejoice and celebrate in all the memories and laughter, too. All thanks be to God in whom we believe, love, and trust! We're praying for your peace, comfort, and strength. In Christian love, James and Sharon Reid

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To Phyllis & Family. Our Friend George was the anointed one. He always seemed to appear mysteriously when we needed comforting through prayer, a calming spirit, or just his presence. We pray that instead of tears of grief, God will bless you with the oil of joy. For all who knew George surely witnessed him doing God's work here on earth. Being around George in action gave us the feeling of having a glimpse of God. Walter & Valeria Pritchett

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My deepest sympathy Reverend Phyllis Coates and prayers to the family PatKeith and family

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Condolences were sent from Wayman AME Church, Enfield, NC.

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Our most sincere condolences are being sent to Rev. Phyllis Coates, and our Pastor, Rev. George M. Coates and First Lady Keta Coates, Peter and Alana, and all connectional family members, during and after this trying time. Know that your members and community are keeping you all close in prayer as you endure the demise of your Dad. If ever needed, we are only a telephone call away. Rest in Paradise Rev. Coates, you have served us well.

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George and family sorry for your great loss. Sending words of encouragement to you all! Your AUS family in Wilson, NC.

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Our deepest condolences to the Coates Family! Vance & Reba Greene of Wilmington, NC

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Phyllis, so very sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. My prayers are with you and your family as you go through this difficult time. Mary Austin Gilmore

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My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family. Carol Lowe Pickett Suitland, Maryland

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Dear Phyllis and Family ~ You have our deepest condolences. You and George have been such a blessing to many. We are keeping you in our prayers. Rev. John Epps and Family

- Donna Epps

Phyllis : Hannah and I send our regrets to you and will remember you and George Marcel in our prayers. Please don't hesitate to call on us if we can be of service to you. Hannah and Lacy Free

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Gentle spirit and kind heart, rest now 🕊in the love of God.

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Take care old friend we will miss our annual get together. Will see you on the other side. Lewis

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Perry J. Brown Funeral Home | Greensboro, NC

- Sandy Goodwin