Bernice S. Coats

Angier - Bernice Stephenson Coats, 86, died Thursday morning. A native of Johnston County, she was the daughter of the late Clingman E. and Bettie Johnson Stephenson. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 3:00 pm at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Willow Springss. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Surviving are daughters, Linda C. Clark of Southern Pines; Betty Sue Ballinger of Hope Mills; son, James Michael Coats of Knightdale; sisters, Martha Faison, Rachel Parrish, both of Angier, Clevene Walker of Coats, grand-children, Kim Clark, Kyle Clark, Corey Clark and Clay Clark, Catherine Ballinger and Tanya Ballinger, great-grandchildren, Gena Clark, Jaxson Clark, Claudia Louro, Eric Louro, Daniel Goodman, and Brandi Ballinger.In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband, Milton Coats in 2013, sisters, Beatrice Dobbs, Ada Bowden, Goldie Young, Hazel Johnson, Lunette Langdon, Elsie Morris, Mae Morris, Reba Vaughn and brother, Harvey Stephenson.The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Angier.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the SECU Hospice House, 426 Hospital Road, Smithfield, NC 27577.