Obituary for Virginia Coats

Virginia Maxine Duroy Miller Coats

September 8, 1918 – June 29, 2018

Virginia Maxine Duroy Miller Coats, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away Friday, June 29, 2018 at Via Christi Village in Ponca City, OK she was 99 years of age.

A Memorial service celebrating her life will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2018 in the Sunset Baptist Church with Rev. Matt Brown officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel with the family in attendance from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to receive friends and relatives. Maxine’s grandchildren will be Honorary Pallbearers. Arrangements are in care of Grace Memorial Chapel of Ponca City.

Maxine was born September 8, 1918 to Carl Henry Duroy and Willa Gertrude “Gert” Davidson Duroy in Ponca City, OK. She began her education 5 miles west of Ponca City at Finley School. When Maxine was seven, they moved fiver miles north of town. She then attended Liberty School, East Junior High and graduated from Po High in 1935 at the age of 16. After graduating Maxine worked at Kress Variety Store while attending Ponca City Business College. She was employed by the Kay County City Health Department working for C.C. Gardner MD later she attended the Southwestern School of Commerce in Ponca City. After World War II was declared, Maxine made her way to Washington DC where she worked for the US Navy Department. On November 13, 1940 she married Clifton “CJ” Miller in Newkirk, OK. She continued to work in DC until an illness required lifesaving surgery brought her home once again. After her recovery, she returned to D.C. When Clifton enlisted in the Army Air Corp, she returned home and worked at Strother Army Air Base, Winfield, KS and Smoky Hill Army Air Base in Salina, KS. Maxine and Clifton returned to Ponca City after the War, where she worked many jobs until she was hired by Continental Oil Company where she was a valued secretary. They then adopted three children; Debbie and biological brothers; Duane “Duke” and Terry, where they lived on Sunny Lane. Clifton passed away in 1968. In 1969 Maxine and Don Coats her neighbor, married. She gained five step sons; Ronnie, Gary, Marvin, Wayne and Alan. Always believing in service, Maxine volunteered for Helpline, and taught Senior Adult Ladies Sunday School Class at Southside Baptist Church for ten years. She retired from Conoco Inc. in 1981. After the death of their daughter, they moved to Sallisaw to care for their granddaughter Sara. While there she volunteered for Hospice, and they were members of the Immanuel Baptist Church. They returned to Ponca City and joined Sunset Baptist Church where she taught senior adults and sang in the choir. Singing was a passion and she sang numerous solos. Her hobbies included sending cards, writing letters, and visiting the homebound. Don passed away in 2012.

She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers and sisters, two husbands, daughter Debbie, sons; Ronnie and Alan and grandson Marty.

Survivors include; Her sister; Donna Glaser of Ponca City, OK Five sons; Duane “Duke” Miller and wife June of Ponca City, OK Terry and Marti Miller of Katy, TX, Gary Coats and wife Lois of Ponca City, Marvin Coats and wife Linda of Tulsa, OK and Wayne Coats and wife Carol of Edmund, OK daughter in law Sammie Coats of Ponca City and Son in law Robert Kilgore of Sallisaw, OK. Twenty grandchildren: Ken and Trina Miller of Hawaii, Kim and Fred Scholey of Ponca City, Sara and Clifton Teague of Sallisaw, Christopher Miller of Katy, TX, Danny and Christy Coats of Southaven, MS, Jeff and Michell Coats of Bartlesville, Kristi and Michael Baldwin of Arkansas, Kayla and Melvin Hill of MS, Derek and Mary Coats of TN, Jim and Pam Hill of Ponca City, Toni Hill of Tulsa, Jason Coats of Ponca City, Kevin and Christie Coats of Owasso, Janet and Jason Powers of Collinsville, Michael Coats of Tulsa, Carl and Tiffany Coats of Tulsa, Dena and Jason Yocum of Edmond, Nathan and Hannah Coats of Katy TX, Todd and Carrie Coats of Ponca City, Chris and Erin Coats of Yukon and numerous great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

The family ask memorial contributions made to Humanity Hospice, they would also like to Thank Via Christi Village and Humanity Hospice for the Excellent care given to Maxine.

Online condolences may be a=made at www.gracememorialchapel.net.