Royal Coggins

Royal Joseph "Ollie" Coggins, Jr, 93, of Birmingham, AL passed away on June 24, 2016 at St. Martin's in the Pines. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, 1591 Gadsden Highway, Trussville, AL 35235 from 9:00 to 10:00 am. The Reverend Jennifer Riddle will perform the service at 10:00 am. Mr. Coggins was born in Clanton, AL to Royal Joseph Coggins, Sr. and Maggie Driver Coggins on January 8, 1923. He graduated from Clanton High School. He served in the Navy and is a veteran of WWII. While serving on the USS Colorado in the Pacific, he received the Purple Heart. Mr. Coggins also attended the Honor Flight to the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. He was a member of McElwain Baptist Church and attended Sunday services at St. Martin's in the Pines. He retired in 1989 from the Birmingham News. Mr. Coggins is survived by his brother, Charles Edward Coggins: daughters and sons-in-law Ellen and Gordon Mahathey, Lona and Ken Reeve; sons and daughters-in-law Joe and Janet Coggins, John and Traci Coggins, Mark and Lori Coggins, 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Dora Faye Coggins and granddaughter Cindy Coggins. Pallbearers are Walton Bradford, Rob Harris, Neal Henry, Miles Coggins, Duncan Ward, and Alex Coggins. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the 3 Hots and a Cot, an organization for homeless Veterans. Donations can be made at their website cotsforvets.org or mail to 7353 Kimberly Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35206.