Rebecca Marie Jones Coleman made her debut on May 1, 1918, in Claiborne County, Miss., as the eldest of three daughters born to Thomas and Celia (Wilson) Jones. “Tiny Bit,” as she was affectionately called, grew up in Port Gibson, Miss., working on the family farm and, amongst other things, picking cotton.

After graduation from high school, she completed two years of college at Alcorn College and one year at Jackson State University.

She married Sidney Coleman on April 19, 1941. Following their marriage, they moved to Parsons, where she worked for the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center for many years prior to her retirement. She also maintained a foster home for many years.

Mrs. Coleman was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church, where she served on the usher board and was a member of the senior choir. She served as the secretary of the local branch of the NAACP; was a member of the Langston Chapter 39, Order of the Eastern Star; and was a former member of the Jewel Art Club in Parsons.

She enjoyed basking in the sun, gardening and sharing with others. Her greatest joy was that of being a devoted mother and grandmother.

In her later years, she resided in Dayton, Ohio, where she was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Peggy, granddaughter, Reigan, and friend, Mia Mitchell.

Mrs. Coleman was a remarkable personality; a lady of charm, grace and charisma with her proclivity for outstanding style in dress; and she was an elite, prissy lady as she showed off her manicures, pedicures and hair styles.

A very astute woman, Mrs. Coleman wielded a power of LOVE that could only be surpassed by that of the great Master of Love, Jesus Himself. She won the respect and love of all those she met as she left an indelible mark of love on each as they passed her way, whether in Parsons, Dayton or Chicago. For her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she left a proud legacy that will sustain us, particularly in troubled times.

She entered eternal rest on March 10, 2012.

Though Mrs. Coleman’s spirit left us to join her husband, son and sisters, memories of her will live on in our hearts forever.

She will be remembered for her love and directness by her daughters, Shirlette “Peggy” Burks (Luther) of Dayton, Ohio, and B. Anne Harris (Eddie) of South Holland, Ill.; grandchildren, Kevin McDaniels of Parsons, Reginald Burks and Reigan Burks of Dayton, Ohio, Sidney Jamal Coleman of Parsons, Cecile A. Coleman of Tulsa, Felicia Barbera of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Carla Lowe of St. Louis; foster sons, Harold Ward of Chetopa and Eugene Caldwell and Gary Hodges, both of Parsons; and a host of devoted great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at New Hope Baptist Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church. Friends may call at Carson-Wall Funeral Home at their convenience.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Carson-Wall Funeral Home.