Family Facts: Married to Jo Ann. Two children, Wesley born in July 1989 and Taylor born in March  1992.

What fictitious character from literature, television, or movies do you most identify with? And why?
The Preacher in Pale Rider. Not that I am as tough as Clint Eastwood or that I carry a gun, but I do hope I stand up for those who are mistreated and abused on their journey from the cradle to the grave, as Jesus and “The Preacher” did.
What is your favorite restaurant in Greenville?
Smoke on the Water in the West End
What is the name of the church you grew up in and what was it like?
Eastern Valley Baptist Church. A small, warm, missionary fellowship.
Tell us one thing about yourself that you don't think we know.

I wish I could play a musical instrument.

Full Name: William Sam Coates III

Family facts. Sam (6/11/56); Lucy (11/19/56); William (1–11-1985); Patterson (11-14-1986); Jack (5-29-95). Anniversary is July 17, 1983. Two Dogs: Bradley, silkly terrier, Gracie, cairne/westy mix.

What fictitious character from literature, television, or movies do you most identify with? And why?

Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show. I’ve always been “second fiddle” on staff and LOVE that position. Barney always had his bullet in his pocket, just in case he needed it. I always have to have something in my pocket ready to do when called on to fill in. Plus, like Barney…I love to SING.
What is your favorite restaurant in Greenville?
Hands down, Chicora Alley. You have to climb up a long flight of steps to get there. Directly across from Falls Park. It’s kinda Mexican/Carribean mix. You have to try “Mom’s Cream Cheese Chicken Enchilada” and the “Black Angus Beef Brisquet Picante”.
What is the name of the church you grew up in and what was it like?
Taylors First Baptist Church. When I was growing up there as a child, it was a small family church. It went Mega Church when I was a teenager. Lindsey O’Rear had over 100 youth in choir. He is the reason I became a Min. of Music.
Tell us one thing about yourself that you don't think we know.
Everyone knows I love to cook and that I don’t like sports. But there is one kind of food I don’t like and that’s German, and the one sport that I do love is and participate in is snow skiing.

Family Facts: The oldest of three sisters. Widowed at age 43.

What fictitious character from literature, television, or movies do you most identify with? And why?

C.J. Cregg on The West Wing. Tall, skinny, smart. Fiction, right?
What is your favorite restaurant in Greenville?
For a good hamburger, Five Guys. For a fancy meal, Bonefish Grill.
What is the name of the church you grew up in and what was it like?
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Lancaster County. Small, rural. I was the church pianist and organist (not at the same time) while in high school. My mother still goes there and if she misses a service without letting someone know in advance, her phone is ringing with people wanting to know what's wrong.
Tell us one thing about yourself that you don't think we know.
I got claustophobi walking through a tunnel the North Vietnamese dug under the American Military base near Saigon, now Ho Chi MIngh City. Made me appreciate the .struggles of war even more than I already did.

Family facts.

Husband Rhys, married in 1969. Children: Emily (11/73) soon to be married and Gordon (9/76) who climbs mountains for fun. Hobbes our very old cat and Maggie, our blond cocker spaniel.

What fictitious character from literature, television, or movies do you most identify with? And why?  

I become each character I read so at times I am a strong woman capable, witty, and creative like the women in Dorthea Benton Franks’ books.

What is your favorite restaurant in Greenville?
You can find me and my family at Coronas every Friday night. They know our order when we come in!

What is the name of the church you grew up in and what was it like?
I grew up in St. Stephen Episcopal Church in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. It was a small parish where everyone knew everyone. I remember during the year it took to build the new church that the nursery was held in the dining room of my house. As an only child it was heaven to have babies in my house every week.

Tell us one thing about yourself that you don't think we know.

In 1988 I went to India for three weeks as part of an international Girl Scout Conference on Peace We met with delegates from all over the world and shared ideas and time together learning about each other. The purpose of the conference was to celebrate how we are alike so that we could begin to build peace, one person at a time. We also toured India together and became close friends with whom I still correspond.