Dolores Rotella Coates Farmer, 95, died peacefully on July 2. She was preceded in death by spouses Everette Coates, Sr., and Brooks Farmer. She is survived by her son, Everette “Rhett” Coates, Jr.
Dolores attended Pan American Business School and worked at various office positions before her 30-year career at Chesapeake Corporation (formerly West Point Paper Mill, currently WestRock). During most of those years she served as receptionist at corporate headquarters, the first voice heard from the switchboard, or the first face seen upon entrance by most people. She was an active member of West Point First Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School.
Dolores enjoyed life and had varied hobbies: fishing, boating, bridge, needlecraft, and tennis. After retirement and moving to Florida, she enjoyed singing karaoke and reciting her favorite poems at Elks and Moose Clubs.
In 2016 Dolores moved back to Virginia, first to Brookdale Senior Living in Williamsburg. For the past year or so, she has been a resident of Heritage Green in Mechanicsville. They know her as DeeDee and have provided above-and-beyond dedication and love. During these final months, the dedicated workers at Ascend Health Hospice have spent many quality hours with Dolores, caring for her social as well as her health needs.
A graveside service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Sunny Slope Cemetery, 2400 King William Rd., West Point, VA.
