Willie Mae Coates, 91, passed away Friday, October 9, 2020, in Traveler's Rest, SC. She is the daughter of the late Earl and Effie Rice Lewis and was born in Madison County, NC on June 29, 1929. Willie graduated from Marshall High School in 1947. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Nial Coates.

Willie and Nial had a son, Thomas Earl Coates, and a daughter, Wanda Coates Rice. In 1971 Willie and Nial moved to Church Street in Weaverville where they spent many happy years. Willie worked at Square D in Asheville before retiring. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Mars Hill. Willie enjoyed gardening, crafts, cooking, and spending time with her children, four grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren, as well as her many friends.

A private graveside service will be held at 1pm Thursday, October 15, 2020, at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.