October 22, 1937 ~ December 22, 2022
85 Years Old
Obituary
Billie Jean Coleman was born on October 22, 1937 and went home to be with the Lord on December 22, 2022 at the age of 85. She was the only girl of 4 children, born to Thomas G. and Ethel Mae Selman. She grew up in the Linwood community, attended Grange Hall and graduated from Alto High School in 1955; she then attended and graduated from business school in Dallas. She married the love of her life Herbert E. Coleman on August 30, 1967 and they had one daughter, Lanita.
She and Herbert became active members of Alto Missionary Baptist Church where they made lifelong friendships and many great memories. Some of her fondest memories were spent playing piano and singing at church and area churches and community gatherings. She spoke of Forrest Hills and how she loved it. She worked and retired from Cherokee County Tax Office after twenty years. She loved the people she worked with, along with many others at the courthouse and had fondmemories of her days there. She was a very neat and well organized person. She despised dirt, dust and all clutter. Family would often tease her about this obsession. It was always, “drop those shoes at the door” and “put that back where you got it”. There was never anything out of place in their home.
She was a loving mother and grandmother. She dedicated her life to loving, caring and supporting Lanita in all things. She was always active in Lanita’s life and there was never a time that she wasn’t there for her. She traveled many miles on an Alto Band Bus on Friday nights, so she could watch Lanita and her friends twirl on Friday nights. She cleaned and polished many a white twirling boot and always took care of every need and never complained. The highlight of her life had to be her 4 beautiful grandchildren. She was lovingly known to them as “Meme”. Words cannot express the amount of love, joy and pride they gave her. She spent countless hours rocking, feeding, playing and loving on what she referred to as “her babies”. She would also be the first one to get on their tails and the first one to defend them if anyone else tried to. She was very proud of her babies and their families. Most importantly she loved the Lord and wanted everyone she loved to know the same peace that she found in her Savior. She often told Lanita that the single most important thing in life is having a relationship with the Lord.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Herbert E. Coleman; brothers, James Selman and LeeRoy Selman and nephew Tommy Lee Selman.
She is survived by her daughter, Lanita Coleman and Scott Tennison of Whitehouse, Tx; brother, Tommy Selman wife Sarah of Barnum, Tx.; grandchildren, Cory Davis wife Sara of Cushing Tx.; Coleman Davis of Rusk, Tx.; Holly Taylor and husband Ben of Alto, Tx.; Hope Dotson and husband Cameron of Rusk, Tx.; 10 great grandchildren, Karlie, Luke, Emma, Abbie, Brody, LeAnna, Parker, Jodie, Brennan and Hagan.
Pallbearers will be Cory Davis, Coleman Davis, Cameron Dotson, Ben Taylor, Randy Selman and Jimmy Selman.
The family of Billie Coleman wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Legacy of Jacksonville Nursing Home and Heart to Heart Hospice. The love and care given has been greatly appreciated.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 26th at 2:00 p.m. at Allen Funeral Home in Alto with Bro. Bruce Robinson officiating and Chris Davis speaking. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to service. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Old Palestine Cemetery in Linwood.
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