Bernice Coats, age 95 of West Orange, N.J., passed away peacefully on May 31, 2025, at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J.

Bernice was born on October 29, 1929, in Atlantic City, N.J., to the late Eva and Talton Caviness.

Bernice was a social butterfly in her younger days and enjoyed going out to dinner dances with her husband and several of their friends. She enjoyed visiting numerous friends for cookouts and dinners, inviting friends over to eat, play games and dance to music. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, household chores, doing home renovations and spending time with her grandchildren. She worked for a brief time at a nursing home as a dietician.

Bernice was preceded in death by her husband Andrew Coats; her parents, Eva and Talton, a  sister, Doris Daniels, and oldest daughter, Denise Coats.

She leaves to mourn her two daughters, Reynette Espy and Andrea Carter; two son-in-laws, Michael Espy Sr. and William Carter; four grandchildren, Lanette Espy, Michael Espy Jr., Ashley Espy and Cassandra Carter, a nephew and a host of grand nephews who will sadly miss her.