A snake-handling preacher who shot to fame through a reality television show died on February 15 after a rattlesnake bit him during an evening service at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name. 42-year-old Jamie Coots handled snakes while preaching for almost two decades before the tragic incident took place Saturday night.
The reality show that Coots starred in was called Snake Salvation and it aired on the National Geographic Channel. He was also mentoring Andrew Hamblin, an aspiring snake-handling preacher in Campbell County.
“We use them in our religious ceremonies and I believe as for me, if I don't have them there to use I'm not obeying the word of God,” Jamie Coots said in an earlier interview to 6 News.
According to Middlesboro chief of police Jeffrey Sharpe, Coots was bitten by the rattlesnake on his right hand around 8:30 pm and his family rushed him home immediately instead of waiting for medical assistance at the church. When the authorities went to his home and insisted they should help, his family still refused because they believed he would be healed through prayer.
“Everybody that knows Mr. Coots knows what his belief is, and he had no intention of going to the hospital. They did in fact refuse treatment. Then I would say about an hour later we got the call to come back, that he had passed away,” he said.
The pastor’s son witnessed the incident and admits that his family is in shock but he also said that they will continue to stand strong in their beliefs.
“The snake that bit him, we've been carrying it for four months. It's been carried hundreds of times and handled all kinds of times. But when it's your time to go, it's just your time to go. I don't think it's dangerous. It's the word of God. We've always said it's a good way to live by and it's a good way to die by,” said Cody Coots.
Despite being pulled over earlier for the unlawful possession of poisonous snakes, Coots is believed to have gotten all of his permits updated in order to keep the reptiles. His funeral was held at 8 pm on February 18. Coots’ son is expected to keep the ministry going.
