Mrs. Mary Louise Coates Bracy, 85, of Commonwealth Senior Living, formerly of Birdsnest, wife of the late William Myer Bracy and mother of the late Karen Lynn Bracy, died on May 23, 2026, at Commonwealth Senior Living.
Mary was born in Machipongo. She was the daughter of the late George Melvin and Grace Carpenter Coates.
Mary was a strong and gracious person. She was a very active member of Johnson’s United Methodist Church, where she sang in the church choir and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She was the bookkeeper for many years at Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Nassawadox, where her kind and compassionate nature brightened the day of the residents.
She is survived by two sisters, Alverta Coates McKenna and her husband, Jack, and Rella Coates Hale and her husband, Nathan; a brother, George Melvin Coates Jr. and his wife, Anne Marie; and several nieces and nephews.
A service will be held from the graveside at Johnson’s Cemetery, Johnsontown, on Wednesday, June 3, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Mike Fogle officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Johnson’s United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund in care of Mrs. Brenda Floyd, 4198 Pear Plain Lane, Machipongo, VA 23405.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.
