Beverly Lou Lewis Coffing, loving wife and mother of five children, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at age 91, surrounded by her immediate family as she entered her kingdom of Heaven.
She was born at Memorial Hospital in Mount Vernon on April 18, 1929, the first and only child of Ralph G. and Roberta (Pond) Lewis who preceded her in death. Beverly began life on her mother Roberta’s ancestral home, “the Pond farm,” on Yankee Street near Waterford, and thus, always felt a lifelong kinship with the folks of that community. In her youth she was a member of the Waterford Church of Christ. Then her family moved to Fredericktown when her father, Ralph Lewis, became manager of the Kroger store on North Main Street.
Bev cherished her years growing up in town and while attending Fredericktown High School, met the love of her life, Warren “Joe” Coffing. Immediately after graduating in 1947 she and her returning Navy Vet Joe were married at the Presbyterian Church July 19, 1947. Their union produced five children over a period of 15 years, one son and four daughters from 1948 through 1962, which kept them very busy. They would come to celebrate 65 years together until his death in 2012. Shortly after their marriage Bev and Joe joined up with her father Ralph to start and operate Lewis & Coffing IGA grocery store on South Main Street for 33 years, where Joe’s meat department attracted customers from all over the county. Bev would continue to fervently work alongside her husband for several years not only at their supermarket but also at their Green Valley Meats business. On the home front Beverly would become the consummate homemaker and mother to her five children, instilling in them a sense of morality and unconditional love. She took great pride in providing a neat and clean household for her family and guests as well as preparing scrumptious meals. Baking became her passion. Her Christmas spreads of holiday cookies, fudge and pies became legendary and Bev’s homemade pies were always top favorites at the Baptist Tomato Show Booth.
Beverly was a woman of deep Christian faith and a devout member of the Fredericktown First Baptist Church, where she embraced the fellowship of its members of nearly 70 years. She loved to read, especially inspirational books, her Bible and magazines. Among her many pastimes Bev enjoyed interior home decorating, shopping for arts and crafts with her daughters, gardening and liked to landscape her Green Valley home with flowers and shrubs. In the spring her “green thumb” was always noticeable. She and Joe travelled worldwide with their grocer friends and particularly enjoyed Hawaii, Mexico and Greece, where she got to walk in the footsteps of St. Paul and Corinth. Being the family matron, Bev was always busy attending family functions: graduations, concerts, weddings, reunions, ball games, etc., but most of all, her biggest enjoyment was time spent graciously hosting cozy events for family and friends, where her buoyant charm permeated the entire house…as well as those wafting aromas of her cooking, especially at year end holidays. Those close to her will remember her as the loving and caring daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother that she was.
Left to cherish her memory are her 5 children; Rick Coffing of Columbus, Nancy and her husband Butch Bates of Mount Vernon, Susan Kim Coffing of Chicago, Lisa and husband Elton Easterday of Mount Vernon, Julie and husband Dave Morris of Westerville; her four grandchildren, Alicia Johnston, Curtis James, Kristen James Pasters, and Casey Camillo; her six step grandchildren, Heather Bates Cox, Misty Bates Cole, Kim Morris Kerr, Todd Morris, Clay and Anna Easterday; her 12 great-grandchildren; Nevaeh, Carter, Ola Mae, Evan, Blake, Rachel, Addie, Avery, Gus, Abe, Mia and Blair; plus several nieces and nephews, e.g., Sally Wright and Barry Coffing.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. until the time of funeral service starting at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 22 E. Sandusky St, Fredericktown, OH 43019, with Pastor Brian Snow officiating. A private family graveside will follow.
Memory contributions may be made to: First Baptist Church: 22 E Sandusky St, Fredericktown, OH 43019.
To view this obituary or leave the family a memory, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
The Snyder Funeral Home in Fredericktown is honored to serve the family of Beverly Lou Lewis Coffing.