Susan Featherston Coates, age 75, passed away Friday, July 29, 2022 from a lengthy illness. Susan was born on May 11, 1947 in Memphis, TN to Maxine and James R. Featherston. She was born on her mother’s birthday, which was also Mother’s Day that year. She and her mother always enjoyed celebrating their birthdays together, especially when it coincided with Mother’s Day.

Susan was raised in Marked Tree, AR and graduated from Marked Tree High School; she attended the University of Memphis for her undergraduate studies in English. She was very active on campus during college, with her primary extracurricular activity being her sorority, Pi Beta Phi. She made life-long friendships during those days and remained involved in the Pi Beta Phi alumni club, attending meetings and writing recruitment recommendations for dozens of Monroe high school graduates.

After college graduation, Susan continued her education at the University of Missouri at Columbia, earning her master’s degree in counseling. She was then recruited by ULM to be the Director of Women’s Housing. She moved to Monroe for this role, met many wonderful colleagues at ULM, and eventually met her husband, Ed, through mutual friends.

Susan was a devoted member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, active in the Monroe Junior League until she reached Sustainer level, helped establish an Investment Club that endured for 30 years, and looked forward to her “birthday club” gatherings that have been ongoing for nearly 40 years.

She loved her role as mother, volunteering at her children’s’ schools as PTO President and Room Parent and cheering on her children & their classmates at hundreds of sporting events and pep rallies. Susan relished her role as “Mimi” to her two grandchildren; there were never enough pictures, videos or stories to satisfy her curiosity about their growth and adventures.

She had a generous spirit, was an avid Arkansas Razorbacks fan, and made an effort to stay in touch with friends near and far. She made it a priority to have a strong community, and her community will miss her.

Susan is survived by her husband of 46 years, Dr. E.D. (Ed) Coates, Jr and their two children, Catherine (Cameron) Walts of Atlanta, GA and Courtland Coates of Monroe; two precious grandchildren, William (10) & Caroline (8) Walts; brother, Mike Featherston (Judy) and their children of Memphis, TN and several cousins.

A service honoring Susan’s life will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Monroe at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.  Visitation will be held at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Monroe from 5:00 P.M. ~ 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Greg Green, Dr. John Hull, the staff of St. Francis hospital, and Ms. Annie Thomas who cared for Susan so well in recent years.

In memory of Susan, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1901 Lexington Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana 71201 or Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home, 901 S. Vienna Street, Ruston, Louisiana 71270

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