
She was born Mavis Webb at Kingsbury in August 1922 and had a twin brother Maurice.
When she was 21 she married Jack Coggins ,a miner ,at Kingsbury Methodist Church in August 1943. Jack had to get his Father’s permission to marry as he was not 21 until the September. They lived with Jack’s family in Dosthill for their first year together and in 1944 moved to Station Road Whitacre. Using their tandem they continued to attend Kingsbury Methodist Church until the birth of their children Valerie and then Vincent. Finally they crossed over the road to worship here. The minister at that time was Rev.Hodges and the organist Harry Hill. There were over twenty members and Mr & Mrs Dryden ran a flourishing afternoon Sunday school, supported by Mr.Shaw. Every year there were anniversary celebrations when the children sang and were presented with attendance certificates. Annual outings were organised. The other main activity at the chapel was the Women’s Social Hour, which Mavis joined of course.
She became a dinner lady at Nether Whitacre school and when her children were bigger, went to work at Woolworths in Birmingham. She cycled to Nether Whitacre station and when it closed used Water Orton until 1982 when she retired. That gave her a year with Jack because he died in 1983.
She has worked tirelessly for our chapel in many capacities and told me she particularly relished the many friendships she had made and the hymn singing at services. One of her favourite hymns was "O Jesus I have promised to serve Thee to the end." This she most certainly did!
We shall miss her so much.