Hortense "Shorty" (Shores) Coats

Hortense “Shorty” Coats, age 92, of Coleman, died Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Holiday Hill Nursing Home.

The family will host a time of visitation at 1:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Adams and Dexton Shores officiating.  Interment will follow in the Midway Cemetery.  Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, in Coleman.

She was born Hortense Shores on November 23, 1930, in Iberis, Texas to Angus Wyman Shores and Reba Lee Rosson Shores.  Shorty grew up in Lawn and graduated from Lawn High School.  She married Claud Coats on July 26, 1949, in Coleman and made their home in Novice.  Shorty worked for First National Bank in Abilene for ten years and then worked for First State Bank in Abilene for 20 years.  She was a member of Novice Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years.  Her love and passion for the Lord was evident through the kindness and compassion that she showed her neighbors and friends.  Shorty was always willing to help a friend in need.  Her bright eyes and smile could instantly cheer you up and make your day better.

Most of all, Shorty loved her family.  She loved her children and cherished her grandchildren.  Shorty enjoyed playing forty-two, Go Fish, or any game that the grandchildren wanted.  Her love has left a legacy by all who knew her.

Shorty is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Claud Coats; her daughter Melinda Coats; one grandson, Bud Coats; four brothers; and two sisters.

She is survived by two sons, Charles Coats and wife Vickie of Gouldbusk, and Deral Coats of Coleman;  nine grandchildren, Claudette Ratliff and husband Steve, Calisha Garrett and husband Glen, Dustin Coats and wife Erica, Celeste Everts and husband Ronnie, Calan Wills and wife Becky, Carlee Branch and husband Ty, Alicia Sanders and husband Tracy, Mitzi Sartain and husband Travis, Lauren Crabb and husband Gabe, and Dawn Ray; 21 great-grandchildren; multiple nieces and nephews; and special friend and caregiver, Jackie Copeland.

Pallbearers will be Dustin Coats, Calan Wills, Glen Garrett, Steve Ratliff, Ty Branch, And Ronnie Everts.  Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Moore, Ronny Salyers, Doug Saylers, Del Shores and her great-grandchildren.

Memorials are suggested in memory of Shorty to Novice Baptist Church, P.O. Box 26, Novice, Texas 79538, Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford Street, Abilene, Texas 79605, or to the Midway Cemetery Association.