Trella Coats

Trella L. Coats, was born October 24, 1910, in Leslie, Arkansas to Omar Alexander and Lillie Myrtle (Sutterfield) Dunlap. After graduation from high school Trella enrolled at Draughans Business College. After completion of her school Trella accepted a position with the REA in Cleveland. On March 26, 1932, she was united in marriage to Walker Everett Coats in Sedan, Kansas. They made their initial home in Cleveland and where they raised their three children. Trella and Walker later moved to Sand Springs at that time Trella began working in Tulsa as an executive secretary for a local oil and gas company. Mrs. Coats later returned to school to further her education and obtained her realtors license. After obtaining her license she began selling real estate in Sand Springs. In the early 1980ís, after the retirement of Walker they moved to Edmond, Oklahoma where she has continued to reside.

Mrs. Coats was a former member of First United Methodist in Cleveland and Sand Springs and was current member of the First United Methodist Church in Edmond. Mrs. Coats enjoyed spending time with her family. She would often spend many hours preparing dinners and lunches for their gatherings. Trella was also a former member of the Desk and Derrick Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Trella enjoyed traveling; she and Walker played bridge and danced their way to Alaska, through the Panama Canal, throughout the Caribbean Islands as well as through the Mediterranean.

Trella passed away June 7, 2007 in Edmond, Oklahoma at the age of 96 years 7 months and 13 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Walker, three brothers John, Preston and Jerry J. Dunlap and two sisters Clara Laughlin and Lucille Rogers.

Survived by her daughter, Clara Lou Coody of Edmond, Oklahoma; two sons, Dr. Gerald O. Coats of Tucson, Arizona; Dr. Bard Coats of Las Vegas, Nevada; eight grandchildren, Mark Tyler, Jeff Tyler, Sherma Higgs, Phillip Coats, Sam Coats, Matthew Coats, Neal Coats and Drew Coats, thirteen great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held Friday, June 15, 2007 at 2:00 pm in the Woodland Cemetery Chapel. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc.