Clara Coats was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 21st, 1946 to the late Cloroneza Coleman and the late Charley Norris. From the beginning, she was known for her spark and determination. She was a 1964 graduate of Galileo High School in San Francisco, CA, and received further education from Bryman Institute in San Francisco, CA. The year she graduated, she met and married Mandell Coats Senior, whom she happily lived her life with for 62 years, and was baptized into the Church of Christ by her father-in-law, Curtis Coats Senior. Together, Clara and Mandell went on to have a son, Mandell Coats Jr, and two daughters, Dosha Marie Coats and Dellana MacCaskie. Together, they share 9 grandchildren, (Andre Coats, Jamarri Coats, Jarell Harris, Michael Lopez, Jordan Coats, Trevon Black, Jazmine Coats, Adriana MacCaskie, and Ariana MacCaskie) and 11 great grandchildren. Clara was employed with Contra Costa County for 16 years, where she faithfully worked in the Radiology Department and as the Deputy Register for Contra Costa County with commitment and dedication. She will always be remembered for her avid devotion to her beloved San Francisco 49ers, her love of camping, art, old westerns, all her great stories, sense of humor, her loving and carefree spirit, and the can of Almond Roca on her nightstand. She is preceded in death by both loving parents and her late brother Charles Norris Jr, and survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her daughter-in-law Lenna Coats, son-in-law Michael MacCaskie, sister Carol Johnson, her brother-in-law Walter Johnson, and sister-in-law and long-time-friend Diann Norris. On Wednesday, October 15th, 2025, Clara peacefully transitioned from this life at home, surrounded by family and loved ones. Although her presence may be missed, she will forever live on in our hearts through the smiles, the lessons, the memories, and the love she gave us throughout the years.

Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Bay Point Church of Christ, 99 Mountain View Ave., Bay Point, CA 94565