Mary Jane Coots

Mary Jane Coots, age 82, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away on Monday, August 13, 2018 at Capital Region Medical Center surrounded by her family. Mary Jane was born on August 5, 1936 in Jefferson City, Mo., the daughter of John J. "Jake" and Julia J. (Rodden) Brockman. She was married on May 4, 1957 in Jefferson City, Mo. to Emmit F. Coots Jr., who survives of the home. A lifelong resident of Jefferson City, Mary Jane graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1954. She was employed with the Missouri State Highway Patrol at their headquarters and later went on to work as a bookkeeper with a local engineering and surveying firm. She worked there until her retirement in 2009. Mary Jane was a member of Ladies Auxiliary with the Capital Shrine Club. She and Emmit enjoyed traveling with the Prime-Time Tours group, where they took many bus trips from coast to coast. One of Mary Jane's favorite things to do was to spend time with family, especially her grandchildren. She always looked forward to family gatherings and would prepare her amazing sheet cake for each event. She loved time spent in the kitchen and crocheting in her free time. She enjoyed the Capital City Dinner Theatre and watching NASCAR on Sunday afternoons with family. Mary Jane will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and being a supportive wife, mother, sister and grandmother. Survivors include: her loving husband of 61 years, Emmit; three children, Harold Coots (wife Lisa) of Lohman, Mo., Paul Coots (wife Di-Anne) of Holts Summit, Mo. and Julie Wiser (husband Brad) of Russellville, Mo.; her siblings, Ethel Hartman of Jefferson City, Mo. and John Brockman of Russellville, Mo.; her grandchildren, Ellen Alemann (husband Alex), Steven Coots, Thomas Coots and Illyana Coots; numerous nieces and nephews and a great-grandson who is due in October of 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Pauline Rhodes; and two brothers-in-law, Tom Rhodes and John Hartman Sr. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Thursday, August 16, 2018. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, August 16, 2018 in the Freeman Chapel with the Reverend Don Fankhauser officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Shiners Hospitals for Children - St. Louis, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com