Ms. Thelma Jane Collier Coleman

Thelma Jane Collier-Coleman was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dearest friend to countless. Her spirit permeated the very heart of all that she encountered. She professed not only a hope in Christ at an early age but embraced a deep and lasting love for our savior Lord Jesus Christ that has covered her all the days of her life. She was a true beacon of light that God used to usher an honest, pure, and humbling love through. Thelma never knew a stranger. She always showed compassion for others and her love had no boundaries. Thelma departed this life after a lengthy illness on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, TN. She fought a good fight. She was born on July 5, 1954 in Jackson, TN to the late Mr. Little Samuel Collier and the late Mrs. Myrtle Ora Lee Combs-Collier. Thelma was the youngest of eleven children born to this union. Thelma professed a hope in Christ at an early age and joined Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Humboldt, TN under the leadership of Reverend Owens, later worship was under the leadership of Reverend John H. Mathis. After moving to Jackson, TN she immediately secured membership with Greater St. Luke Baptist Church where Reverend Author Anderson presided as pastor. Later Thelma moved her membership to New St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Reverend D. E. Blaylock where she remained a faithful member until her untimely death. She attended elementary and high school at Stigall High, the historic all black school for AfricanAmericans in Humboldt, TN. After her vocational education she embraced a passion for customer service beginning with Jackson Madison County General Hospital. This natural talent was nurtured while working at Belk, Upton’s, and Goldsmith’s (presently Macy’s). Thelma had a flare for fashion and keeping it classy. She had a natural inclination to see the inner beauty of others. Her heart was a blank canvas where she was inspired to connect spiritually with her clients to create works of art and visions of beauty from within by simply taking the time to understand the very heart of a person. Her cosmetic artistry spoke volumes for countless women and revealed that beauty begins from within. She painted the radiance of a person’s heart and made them beautiful from without. That is what was truly unique about her … she looked for the beauty of God in all things even herself and this is why she mirrored a flawless and perfected beauty while she lived among us. She was married to Larry Coleman from 1973-1993 and within this union they nurtured four children. Thelma embraced being a loving mother and dearly loved “her girls” as well as her son who preceded her prematurely in death. Thelma leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Rosland Adams (Terry), Giovonni Coleman and Candis Graves all of Jackson, TN; six grandchildren, Stanley Adams, Kyrie Adams, Akeiyla Adams, Nevaeh Coleman, June Graves and Isaiah Coleman; and one great-grandchild, ShanNa’ya Adams. She leaves one favorite brother, James Collier, Sr. (Peggy) of Robbins, IL; five sisters, Delois Stroud (Frank) of West Mont, IL, Wilma Campbell of Jackson, TN, Samella Davis of Detroit, MI, Cora Johnson (Roscoe) of Humboldt, TN and Linda Montgomery of Chicago, IL. One aunt, Fannie Johnson (Elmer Lee) of Humboldt, TN and one uncle Lee Bradford of Chicago, IL in addition to a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Thelma will also be missed by her very special companion in life, Othie Barnett, “affectionately known as Mr. B.” She was preceded in death by her infant son, Latarus Coleman, four sisters, Mary “Mama Lou” Luster, Rebecca Collier, Ruth Gordon and Fannie “Faye” Clark.

Ms. Thelma Jane Collier Coleman

July 5, 1954 - September 28, 2014