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Delois Mae Moore Coates known as “Nana, Lois, Auntie, Ma, Ms. Coates” was born in Farmville, NC on March 10, 1941 to the late Earma Mae and the late Paul Junior Moore, she was the second sibling of eleven. Delois entered into a peaceful rest on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 after spending several weeks in Maryland with her devoted daughter-in-law, grands, great grands, Ms. Shellie Henderson and church family. Her Grands held a special place in her heart, and she did all she could to show love and be a blessing to them. Delois became sick and was in and out of hospitals and rehab until the Lord carried her home to glory. Delois grew up on a sharecropper farm with her parents and siblings until graduating from Bethel High School in 1959. After graduating she migrated to the Washington, DC/Maryland metropolitan area to join other family members (sister and uncle). She lived in Maryland until retiring and later decided to move back to North Carolina. Delois was always a dependable worker even on the farm. Therefore, it wasn’t long after arriving in Washington, DC she went to work at a drugstore. After being at the drugstore for a short time she was blessed with a warehouse meat wrapping position at one of the major retail stores in the DC/Maryland Metropolitan area (Giant Food Inc.). After maintaining good work ethics, she was moved to the stores as head meat wrapper. The job consisted of early morning hours (4a.m.) but she did what the job required and what she was hired to do. She worked for Giant Food Inc/Ahold USA over 35 years and retired in excellent standards with many awards of appreciation. During her years of working at Giant Food Inc, she was also raising her only son, never neglecting him, always trying to instill good work ethics in him as well. Delois was not only about working on a job to provide for her son and herself. Delois loved the Lord and knew she needed to put God first. She attended First Baptist Church of Marshall Heights, Washington, DC faithfully for the duration of her years living in the DC/Maryland Metropolitan area. She was not a Sunday only worshipper but whenever the church doors were open, she was there. She liked getting there early on Sunday morning, not just showing up for worship service. Delois also served on the Missionary Board, worked with the young ladies in the girl scouts, culinary committee and anywhere else she was needed. Later in years when she could no longer drive herself to church, she would ride the Metro access bus. She, sometimes, had to wait a little long for them to come back to carry her home. Delois often spoke about the friendly, courteous & helpful nature of the members of First Baptist of Marshall Heights. She also spoke about the preached Word of God by Pastor Lehman Bates and the other Ministers at First Baptist of Marshall Heights. She had a special love for the Members and really missed them after moving to North Carolina. Delois did not stop serving the Lord and attending church when she moved back to North Carolina. She reinstated her membership with St. John MBC Soul-Saving Center where her parents carried her to church as a child. She was welcomed by Pastor Black and the congregation with open arms. Still not able to drive herself, she would call her uncle Jesse and aunt Hazel to give her a ride to church. She would talk about how they would pick up for church and bring her back home after church service with no complaints and spoke about how Pastor Black really preached. She knew that when she arrived at the church there would be someone outside and at the door to see that she got inside safely and helped her with anything else she may need. Delois had a kind heart and loved fellowshipping with kind people. It had been said she had a heart of gold because she showed love toward everyone and tried to help everyone that needed it, if she could. If you weren’t having a good day Delois had a way of encouraging, you that made you smile and feel special with just a few kind words. She is going to be missed by many but never forgotten, she’s always in our hearts. Delois was preceded in death by her husband, Wilburt Coates; son, Dwayne Moore, Sr; her parents, Earma Mae and Paul Junior Moore; siblings, Jeanie Moore, Elder John P. Moore, Earnest Moore, Eamon Moore, Vivian Moore; brothers-in-law, Thomas Atcherson, James Earl Clark; grandson-in-law, Brandon Wills. Delois leaves to celebrate her loving spirit, four sisters, Carolyn Atcherson of the home Parmele, NC, Doris Moore, Hamilton, NC, Shirley Clark, Alabama, Marion Moore, Greenville, NC; one brother, Otis Moore (Sandra), Denham Spring, LA; three grandchildren, Dwayne Moore Jr, Jordan Wills, Largo, Maryland, Alexander Moore (Courtney), Cary, NC; two great grandchildren, Keith and Qori Wills, Largo, Maryland; devoted daughter-in-law, Sharon Moore, Largo Maryland; one aunt, Margaret Heyward, Delaware, MD; two uncles, William Oscar “Boot” Everett, Greenville, NC Jesse Everett (Hazel “ Honey”) Robersonville, NC; three sisters-in-law, Clara Moore, Sandra Moore, Della Moore; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends.

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Ms. Delois Mae Coates

March 10, 1941 - May 6, 2025