Rev. Phyllis K. Coates is a native of Pittsboro, N.C. in Chatham County. After graduating from the Chatham County Schools, she received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Durham Technical Institute, a B.A. from Shaw University in Religion and Philosophy and a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary. She is an Elder in Full Connection in the United Methodist Church.

Rev. Coates is married to Rev. George Melvin Coates. They have one son, the Rev. George Marcell Coates and a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Keita T. Coates and grandchildren, Peter Emanuel Coates and Alana Patience Coates.

Occupationally, she is a retired magistrate and Administrative Hearing Traffic Court Judge and has served as the pastor of Zion Hill, Peace, Raleigh’s Crossroads, St. Mary’s, and St. John’s United Methodist Churches, all in the Northern Piedmont District. She also served the Empire Circuit in the Uwharrie District, which includes Stout’s Chapel, Pleasant Hill and Piney Ridge United Methodist Churches.

She loves music and most importantly, she is a Child of God.