Dorothy Mae Heedley

Dorothy Coleman-Heedley was born on August 10, 1940, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The daughter of the late Israel Coleman Sr. and Mildred Coleman. She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Sam and Lula Braxton, her sister Yvonne Coleman-Young, her brothers Israel Coleman Jr., Thomas Coleman Sr., Frank Coleman Sr., Ray Coleman Sr. and Danny Coleman.

She leaves behind a loving family to cherish her memory that includes: her husband James Heedley Jr., sisters Doris Coleman-Morrison (Fred), Stella Coleman-Leech, and Shirley Coleman, brothers John Coleman Sr., Leroy Coleman Sr. (Voncella), and Robert (Bobby) Coleman Sr. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews, many other family and friends and her two

dogs Biggie and Tupac.

Dorothy was the oldest of 13 siblings, a role that gave her great responsibility and helped shape the woman she became as she helped her mother. She was beautiful, fiercely independent, loving, caring and opinionated. Though she had no biological children, she

was a mother to Robert Coleman Jr., Cordell Coleman Sr., and Demetrais (Mell) Coleman Sr. (Francesca), whom she raised and loved as her own.

She was a hard worker, spending many years at Deluxe Laundry and later working as a cashier at several big-box stores. Dorothy believed in showing up, working hard and doing what needed to be done.

She first met James in junior high school. Though they went their separate ways, they reconnected many years later and formed a lasting bond. They shared many years together and made homes in California, Texas and eventually in Nevada.

Dorothy will be deeply missed for her dry wit and her bossiness-so typical of a first born and for the love she showed in her own strong, straightforward way. Our eternal love will be with her always!