Alta Faye (Harvell) Coats

Alta Faye (Harvell) Coats, 97, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at the Fowler Residential Care in Fowler, Kansas. She was born on October 6, 1924 to Arlene Mae (Best) and George Washington Harvell in Ratcliff, Arkansas. She married Kyle Milton Coats on August 11, 1943 in Fresno, California. He passed away on March 18, 1992.

Faye and Kyle were married in Fresno, California. While in Fresno, she worked at Roma Winery, while Kyle served in the Army. They moved to Plains, Kansas in 1946 and began farming. Faye spent many hours with the harvest crew, traveling from Texas to Montana every year. She made three meals a day and sped to get parts whenever needed. Faye and Kyle welcomed their son, Terry Milton Coats on May 15, 1948.

After retiring from farming, Faye loved to keep family records, look at family photo albums, collect coins and stamps, and spend time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing pinochle and dominoes and crocheting. Faye was an avid supporter of the Plains community and was excited when the grocery store opened. She began attending the Plains United Methodist Church in the 1940s and was an active member in many events the church held.

Faye loved her family very much and enjoyed carting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren around and even taught them how to drive.

She was a big fan of Mustang Basketball and attended almost every home game. Faye watched the Arkansas Razorbacks, Chiefs and Kansas Jayhawks anytime they were on TV.

Faye lived a wonderful, full and healthy life. She was tough, never complained and always had a contagious smile on her face. She built a life she and her family are proud of.

She is survived by her son, Terry Coats and wife Linda of Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Troy Coats and wife Rhonda of Lenexa, KS, Wes Coats and wife Patricia of Plains, KS, Tracy Cook and husband Ed of Plains, and Tammy Reiss of Plains; great-grandchildren, Chloe Pinkelman and husband Eric of Prairie Village, KS, Kyle Coats of Prairie Village, KS, Jayde Reiss of Fowler, KS, and Coleby Reiss of Plains; seven step-great-grandchildren, a great-great-granddaughter, Norah Faye Pinkelman; 19 step-great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Kyle Coats; parents, George and Arlie Harvell; a daughter-in-law, Patty Coats; a sister, Fern Houser; and brothers, Max Harvell and Maurice Harvell.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 31, at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary in Meade, Kansas.

Funeral service is at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, at the United Methodist Church in Plains, Kansas, with Pastor Terry Mayhew officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Plains Cemetery.

Memorials contributions may be given to the Plains United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home. Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.