TUSCALOOSA – Linda Bracknell Coats, age 68, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., died August 21, 2017, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 3:30 p.m. Friday, August 25, 2017, at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Lanier Nail and Rev. Alan Cook presiding. Burial will follow in Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Visitation will be Thursday, August 24, 2017, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. There will be a reception held at the funeral home Friday after the services.
Linda was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Coats; her parents, W. B. and Ethel Bracknell; and brother, Pete Bracknell.
Survivors include her daughter, Riva Karen Strickland (Ken); grandson, Samuel ""Sam"" Aden Strickland; brother, Charles Bracknell (Sue); brothers-in-law, Wayne Coats (Ann) and Charles Coats; and sister-in-law, Patricia Kyzer (Curtis); special niece/daughter, Kay Bracknell and several other nieces and nephews.
Linda was born July 20, 1949, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. After graduating in 1967 from Tuscaloosa High School, she chose a career in nursing and was a dedicated LPN at DCH Regional Medical Center for 32 years.
She was a doting and faithful wife for 45 years; and a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, mother, and ""Granny"". Linda cherished time with her family, friends, and her best friend for life, Sue Roberts Bracknell.
"A butterfly lights beside us, like a sunbeam… and for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world… but then it flies on again, and although we wish it could have stayed, we are so thankful to have seen it at all." - Author Unknown
Pallbearers will be Chuck Bracknell, Kendall Coats, Gary Brownlee, James Patillo, Brian Christian, and Jon Lambert.
Honorary pallbearers are Mary Smith, Mary Horton, Vickie Pugh, Sarah Crocker, Ruby Beck, Sub-Medical family, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Dr. Ranju Chandrashekariah, and the amazing caregivers at Hospice of West Alabama, especially Gwen Kendrick, Maria ""Hakuna Matata"" Hardy, Raqual Ball, Julie Burroughs; and her daughters of love Brandi, Deana, Felicia, Gina, Jenny, Karol, Shannon, Sherry, Tammy, and Teressa.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of West Alabama.
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