Barbara Neuman Coats, 59, of Navasota passed away Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston after a courageous four year battle with cancer.
A graveside service is set for 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 10 at Oakland Cemetery with the Rev. Clyde Larrabee of First Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be Friday at Nobles Funeral Chapel with the family present from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.
Barbara was born on September 2, 1948 in San Antonio, daughter of Julie Emma (Simecek) and Clyde Albert Covey and grew up in Hondo. She could often be seen working in her yard on Brosig Avenue when she wasn't working at Camp Allen. Those that knew her described her as very down-to-earth, energetic, friendly, compassionate, and enjoying a great sense of humor. It was often said that she knew no strangers and those closest to her lovingly called her "Sergeant" for keeping people in line. She was mentioned several times in Grimes County as being a survivor of Relay for Life. Her family will always remember her as a wonderful mother, sister, and aunt.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Julie Covey; husband, Dean Coats; and sister, Claudette Carolyn Covey.
She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn "Moose" Neuman of Navasota; sisters and brothers-in-law, Alice and Dewey Saathoff of Grand Prairie, Shirley Lopez of Navasota, Rita and Harold Bohack of Navasota, and Sally and Greg Linder of Navasota; twenty-one nieces and nephews, and special friends, Jimmie Neuman, Buckshot Fuqua, and Linda Goolsby.
Serving as pallbearers are Nathan Covey of College Station, Daniel Sandusky of College Station, Jimmie Rosier of Navasota, Rocky Rangal of Navasota, Raymond Rangal of Brenham, and Robert Frenzel of Navasota. Benjamin Linder of Navasota is an honorary pallbearer.