Mother to Westlynne Coates - Tankersley, Rugie Coates, Woodrow Coates, and Charles Coates, Mary Alice Garrett - Coates celebrated her 100th birthday at her daughter's home on February 10, 1981. While the family was preparing to go to the reception at a cafeteria banquet room, a local radio station called to interview her. After a string of stock questions, the conversation moved onto all the wonders Mardy had seen. The interviewer ask her about the landing on the moon and to everyone's amazement Mardy remarked that she was very disappointed she was not invited to go along, she would have very much enjoyed walking on the moon.
Below are two newspaper clippings of Mardy's 100th birthday, the first is from THE CHICKASHA DAILY EXPRESS, Sunday, February 8, 1981, and the second is assumed to be from THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN, on or about the same date. Pictures were included with both articles, however, the pictures are not of quality to publish here.
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Mrs. Mary A. Coates will be honored on her 100th birthday with a reception on Tuesday, Feb. 10 in Oklahoma CIty. It will be between 2 and 4:30 p.m. at Dodson Cafeteria Banquet Room, 2150 S.W. 59th Street. Mrs. Coates had been a resident of Chickasha since 1945 but has recently been living with her daughter, Mrs. B.A. Tankersley, 2505 S.W. 60th, Oklahoma CIty, 73159. She had lived with her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. R.R. Coates, 107 Riveriera Drive, Chickasha, since 1974. She was born Feb. 10, 1881, in Galveston, Ind., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Garrett. In 1882 her parents moved for Blue Springs, Neb. Mrs. Coates attended Normal School in Pawnee City, Neb. |
In 1900 she come with her family, by covered wagon, to Union CIty. Except for the years of 1907 and 1908 she made her home in Union CIty until 1931. She lived for periods in Oklahoma CIty, Norman, and Duncan. In 1945 she moved to Chickasha. Mrs. Coates has four living children: Mrs. Tankersley, Oklahoma City; Dr. R.R. Coates, Chickasha; W.G. Coates, Duncan: and Dr. Charles L. Coates, Houston, Texas. One daughter, Grace Elizabeth, died in 1911. Besides her four living children, she has a sister, Mrs. J.G. Anderson of Lawton; 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. All friends are invited to attend. |
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Mary Coates will be 100 years old Feb. 10, and a grand reception with 150 guests is being planned by her family. The guest list is drawn up, the invitations have been mailed and the cafeteria has been reserved for the fete honoring the centenarian, a mother of four. Mrs Coates was born in 1881 in Galveston, Ind., and moved with her family to Blue Springs, Neb., where she grew up. In 1900, she moved again, by covered wagon, to Union CIty, OK, where she taught school and met Henry Coates, whom she married in 1907. |
She also lived in Washington state, Oklahoma City, Norman, and Duncan before settling in Chickasha. Mrs. Coates has 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and on great grandchild. She is living with a daughter, Mrs. B.A. Tankersley, in Oklahoma City. Mrs. Coates attributes her long life to the fact she has kept busy. SHe does not smoke or drink, beyond "a taste" of tobacco and a "tasted" of alcohol. SHe said she spends her time reading and listening to good music. |