Mrs. Lula Mae Coleman's Obituary
Mrs. Lula Mae Coleman was born in Meridian, MS on July 9, 1925 to the union of Bill and Lucy Jane Alford. She was raised and educated on the outskirts of Meridian and graduated from Harris High School in 1942. She was one of 13 siblings and professed a hope in Christ at an early age at the Oak Grove Church of God in Meridian, MS. She later joined New Canaan Baptist Church under the leadership Pastor LeRoy Thomas where she was President of the Missionary Society for over 30 years and also a faithful choir member. She loved gospel music and sang with the True Light Gospel singers for many years. She later served on the Mother Board. She was also a member of the Homemakers Club of Meridian where she would enter and win ribbons for her homemade items such as log cabins made of Popsicle sticks, pear and fig preserves, muscadine jelly, crochet hats, scarves, and sometimes house shoes. She even knitted a Roll Tide cap for her niece, Elaine "Roll Tide" McBride. Mrs. Lula met and married the love of her life Deacon Jack Coleman, Jr. at an early age. They love and cherished each other. One of their favorite outings was going fishing together. She loved to fish and was fearless when it came to snakes or any other creature she encountered. After her husband's death, she never stopped fishing, traveling to any city, state, and/or fishing hole she could find to fish with her children or anyone who would go with her. To this union with Jack Jr. ten children were born: Lou Frances Cole, Bobbie Stene (Jimmie) Brown, Shirley Ann Coleman, Gerald Coleman, Jack (Felecia) Coleman, Carmen Jean Coleman, Rita Marie (Tierney) Caffey. Janice and Ida Coleman preceded her in death. "Grandmother" Lula served as a foster grandparent upon retirement from East Mississippi State Hospital. She had recently retired from that assignment at the age of 91, leaving a lasting impression on not only her students, but numerous teachers as well with her artistic and craft skills. Many of former co-workers kept in contact with her with visits and gifts. Lula Coleman served for many years as a Den Mother/Master for New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church Boy Scout Pack 97. She dedicated many days and hours developing, inspiring, and leading young men even she had to do it alone. Some of her former Scouts when went on to become leaders in the community, with one even becoming a Medical Doctor. We recall how very proud she was of him and how he honored her for the knowledge and dedication she put into not only him but all of her Scouts. Many men and women looked up to her for guidance and her motherly ways. She had numerous "adopted" children that called her Mother and would let everyone know as much. Many of them remembered her during special times or for no reason at all. Mrs. Coleman had a broad range of skills and hobbies. She love gardening and planting flowers. Her porch and yard was full of her love and she planted vegetables every year in every spot or pot she could find. Most of her vegetables were given away as gifts or were canned (also given as gifts.) She was known for her cooking skills but especially her peach cobbler as well as other delicious dishes such as coconut cakes grated from fresh coconuts. On a slow day she loved to eat cornbread and buttermilk. The overall most important thing to "Mother Lula" was Family. She loved every one of her family members and would travel to every Family Reunion she could, even if it wasn't her family. She would exclaim, "My Father told us to keep the family close together by hosting a Family Reunion each other!" She kept her promise to him and in recent years, she turned the baton over to the next generation! She leaves a legacy that even she didn't know she had obtained by being caring, dedicated, loving, talented, sharing her talents, faithful, motherly, strong, having a great sense of humor, putting others before herself, being all about family even if it wasn't her family, and singing with a song on her heart when she was happy or even in pain.
What’s your fondest memory of Lula?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lula?
Share a story where Lula's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lula you’ll never forget.
How did Lula make you smile?