James
James Strother Coleman
d. February 16, 2015
James Strother Coleman, age 93 of Big Island, VA, passed away Monday, February 16, 2015. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Mabel Katherine Reynolds Coleman.
He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Asa Lee Coleman of Big Island in 1993.
Left behind to cherish his memory are his loving children: Ronald Coleman (wife Cindy) of Lynchburg, Deborah Savarese (husband Jerry) of Moneta, and Sherry McDaniel (husband Paul) of Lynchburg; his grandchildren: Camie Coleman Carpenter, Jesse Leech, Kendal Leech, Whitney McDaniel DeLong and Briana McDaniel, all of Lynchburg; two great-grandchildren: Kelsie Carpenter Kinkead of San Diego, CA, and Arianna DeLong of Lynchburg; four sisters, Marylily Dawson and Helen Reynolds of Lynchburg, Barbara Burks of Big Island, and Brenda Wiles of Coleman Falls; and three brothers: Carl Coleman and Gene Coleman of Lynchburg, and Melvin Coleman of Jacksonville, AR.
James Strother Oscar Robert Thurman Coleman was the eldest of 10 children born to the late Robert Lee Coleman and Dessie Martin Coleman of Coleman Falls, VA. In the 1920’s, Bob and Dessie were told they would never have any more children. Devastated as they were at the time, they gave James the five names above for all of the special people in their lives. He caught quite a bit of grief from his teachers who thought he was being a jokester about his name. It’s quite comical to hear these stories today. As fate would have it, however, Bob and Dessie had nine more children. Sadly, one brother, Edward Allison, passed away as an infant with pneumonia. He was also preceded in death by his youngest brother, Gerald David Coleman in 2010.
He had a distinguished career as a “Traffic Engineer” for the City of Hampton for many years, where he received numerous awards including “Employee of the Year”. He later enjoyed traveling, and then settled back to his home where he was self- employed as an electrician and paint contractor.
The greatest joy in his life was of course his family and friends. He was a caregiver and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone and everyone in need. He enjoyed planting his awesome garden every Spring to share with all. He also cherished his horses and two special kitties, Poo and Angel. Strother Coleman was a proud, yet humble man who loved everyone deeply and genuinely. He will be sadly missed!
A celebration of James’ life will be conducted at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 20, 2015, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg with Pastor Stephen Willis officiating. Family and friends will be received one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, VA 23060, or the Lynchburg First Church of the Nazarene, 1737 Wards Ferry Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502.
Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424, to send condolences please go to www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com
Play Tribute Video HERE
He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Asa Lee Coleman of Big Island in 1993.
Left behind to cherish his memory are his loving children: Ronald Coleman (wife Cindy) of Lynchburg, Deborah Savarese (husband Jerry) of Moneta, and Sherry McDaniel (husband Paul) of Lynchburg; his grandchildren: Camie Coleman Carpenter, Jesse Leech, Kendal Leech, Whitney McDaniel DeLong and Briana McDaniel, all of Lynchburg; two great-grandchildren: Kelsie Carpenter Kinkead of San Diego, CA, and Arianna DeLong of Lynchburg; four sisters, Marylily Dawson and Helen Reynolds of Lynchburg, Barbara Burks of Big Island, and Brenda Wiles of Coleman Falls; and three brothers: Carl Coleman and Gene Coleman of Lynchburg, and Melvin Coleman of Jacksonville, AR.
James Strother Oscar Robert Thurman Coleman was the eldest of 10 children born to the late Robert Lee Coleman and Dessie Martin Coleman of Coleman Falls, VA. In the 1920’s, Bob and Dessie were told they would never have any more children. Devastated as they were at the time, they gave James the five names above for all of the special people in their lives. He caught quite a bit of grief from his teachers who thought he was being a jokester about his name. It’s quite comical to hear these stories today. As fate would have it, however, Bob and Dessie had nine more children. Sadly, one brother, Edward Allison, passed away as an infant with pneumonia. He was also preceded in death by his youngest brother, Gerald David Coleman in 2010.
He had a distinguished career as a “Traffic Engineer” for the City of Hampton for many years, where he received numerous awards including “Employee of the Year”. He later enjoyed traveling, and then settled back to his home where he was self- employed as an electrician and paint contractor.
The greatest joy in his life was of course his family and friends. He was a caregiver and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone and everyone in need. He enjoyed planting his awesome garden every Spring to share with all. He also cherished his horses and two special kitties, Poo and Angel. Strother Coleman was a proud, yet humble man who loved everyone deeply and genuinely. He will be sadly missed!
A celebration of James’ life will be conducted at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 20, 2015, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg with Pastor Stephen Willis officiating. Family and friends will be received one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, VA 23060, or the Lynchburg First Church of the Nazarene, 1737 Wards Ferry Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502.
Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424, to send condolences please go to www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com
Play Tribute Video HERE
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