Eva Lucille Coleman

On the evening of Monday, April 9th at the age of 90 years, five months, and 18 days, and with her family by her side, Eva Lucille Rumsey Coleman passed from this world into the arms of her Father in heaven.

Lucille Rumsey was born to Wallace Rumsey and Viola Tennyson Rumsey on the Meadows’ Farm in the Klattenhoff Community near Miles on October 22nd, 1921. Lucille was the middle child of the family with an older brother Leland, and younger brother Lloyd. Known affectionately to her classmates as “Sally,” Lucille attended the Klattenhoff Community School from 1929 to 1936. She and her two brothers would all ride the same farm-horse to school each morning and back in the afternoon, unless Leland decided to ride alone. Then she and Lloyd would walk.

After graduating from Miles High School in 1940, Lucille went on to attend San Angelo Jr. College, now Angelo State University in the current Central Freshman Campus building. There she earned a two-year associate’s degree in 1942. In 1944 she received her bachelor’s degree and teacher certification from North Texas State Teachers College in Denton (now the University of North Texas).

She then returned to West Texas and taught homemaking at Eola where she was also assigned at barely 5 feet tall and with no athletic experience to be the girl’s high school volleyball coach. That season the team was undefeated and went on to be district champs. The following year she moved to teach at Eldorado where she introduced her younger brother Lloyd to his future wife Earlene McFall. While in Eldorado, she reunited with, and married childhood friend George Howard Coleman on October 18th, 1946 at the Miles Methodist Church.

In 1947 she moved to teach 7th grade at Miles, and the next year moved to Menard to teach homemaking. On October 13th, 1949 she had her first child Carolyn LaRue Coleman. LaRue passed away at only 18 months from a heart condition. In 1952 she resumed teaching homemaking at Blackwell, and in 1953 moved to Eden. When she became pregnant with her second child she and Howard moved back to their farm in Miles. She helped pick cotton almost until the birth of her son George Howard Coleman Jr. on February 13th, 1955.

For the next six years, Lucille taught 1st grade at Miles Elementary School. In 1961 her family moved to “Angelo” where she taught 4th and eventually 5th grade at Glenmore Elementary. While at Glenmore, Lucille spent summers traveling back and forth to Abilene to earn her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1965. After decades of educating the youth of West Texas, she retired in 1985.

During her professional years and in her retirement Lucille remained an active member of the San Angelo First United Methodist Church, Ruth Sunday School Class, American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, San Angelo Retired Teachers Association, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Austin’s Old Three Hundred, United Daughters of the Confederacy, John Berry Association, Angelo State University’s Golden Exes, and a member emeritus of the Tom Green County Historical Commission. She also volunteered as part of the Shannon Hospital Auxiliary for over 20 years, drove for Meals for the Elderly, and served as president and/or committee chair for many of the organizations of which she was a member.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and her daughter LaRue. She is survived by her husband of 66 years Howard Coleman Sr., her son Howard Coleman Jr., daughter-in-law Fay Coleman, grandchildren Lara Coleman, Bekah Coleman and husband Grant Baxter, and Luke Coleman all of San Angelo. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

As an education advocate, loyal friend, avid community volunteer, and fiercely loving and self-sacrificing wife, mother and grandmother, Lucille Coleman has touched many lives. Through the lessons she taught those she loved, she will continue to touch lives for years to come.

Visitation will be Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 13th at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at the Miles Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Luke Coleman, Grant Baxter, Louis Rumsey, Mark Horner, Wayne Klattenhoff, and Dale Potter. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice.

Family and friends may sign the online register book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.