Ronnie Mac Coats

Ronnie Mac Coats, of Cary, NC, peacefully returned home to the Lord on September 22, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Ronnie was a beloved husband, father, grandfather (Papa), brother, uncle and friend throughout his 80 years of Christian service.

Born on August 7, 1945, in Willow Springs, NC, Ronnie was the fourth child of Herl and Janie Coats. While in high school, Ronnie's family moved to Angier, NC where he graduated from Angier High School as valedictorian of his senior class. He graduated from NC State University with a Chemical Engineering degree in 1967 and then went on to pursue an over 35-year career with Carolina Power & Light, later Progress Energy. He also obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina in 1989.

Second only to his love for the Lord was his love and devotion to his wife of 58 years, Joyce Coats. As Ronnie tells it, he and Joyce met in high school when a "cute girl with big brown eyes" caught his attention. They were married on September 3, 1967. From this day forward, he lived out Ephesians 5:25 everyday - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." In recent years, when Joyce was diagnosed with a terminal illness and recently moved under hospice care, Ronnie continued to devote all his time and energy to ensuring Joyce was comfortable and completely cared for - Even as he himself battled cancer and fought back from a recent stroke.

Ronnie was an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church (MBC) where he was able to share his gift for organization and project management to impact various church committees, projects and their daycare ministry, The Children's Place. At MBC, Ronnie was also able to serve the Lord through teaching, mission trips, and NC Baptists on Mission disaster relief teams.

Ronnie loved spending time with family - especially his five grandchildren, who affectionally knew him as "Papa", brothers and sisters, and his cherished extended family. He will be remembered for his love of coffee, NC State athletics, spending time at his vacation home in White Lake, NC, and his enjoyment of respectful political debate with friends and family. He was also well known for his ability to fix just about anything and was often sought out for his advice, mentorship and wisdom. Most importantly, Ronnie will be remembered for his generous heart and the numerous lives he impacted through his faithful service to the Lord.

In addition to his wife, Joyce, he is survived by his children, Mark Coats (Jackie) and Melissa Miranda (Tony); his five cherished grandchildren, Emsley, Karis, and Kyla Coats and Andrew and Alexandra Miranda; brother, Reverend Robert Coats (Joyce); sister, Kim Haddock (Eddie); and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herl and Janie Coats; his sister, Betty Pleasant; and his brother, Jackie Coats.

A visitation will be held Friday, September 26 from 6-8pm in the Fellowship Hall of Macedonia Baptist Church (MBC) at 7100 Holly Springs Road in Raleigh. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 27 from 11am-12pm in the sanctuary of MBC and will reconvene at 2pm for a graveside service in Lakeside Memorial Gardens at 2712 Oak Grove Church Road in Angier NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to NC Baptists on Mission, MBC Missions Projects, or The Children's Place at Macedonia Baptist Church. The family also wishes to thank the staff at Swift Creek Health Center and The Templeton of Cary for their compassionate care and support during this time.

Funeral arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Garner. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com