Mr. DeVoene Douglas Coleman (Von, Douglas, or Tops) was born on March 8, 1941; to Mr. William Wheeler and Mrs. Mattie (Fields) Coleman, in Marshall Michigan. He made his heavenly transition at age 77, on February 13, 2019 in the comfort of his Albion (MI) home. He leaves a legacy as: a true follower of Christ, an exemplar pillar of his community, a lover of music, an enthusiastic genealogist, and a veracious fisherman.
His early years were spent in Albion (MI), and later between Chicago (IL) and Battle Creek (MI), where he graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1959. He was an avid Basketball player, and during a visit to Albion prior to his high school graduation, met Ms. Lillian Rosetta Harper. They would later sing abroad together with the Goodwill Singers choir for years to come, under the Direction of Mrs. Willa Mae Pierson, who was his Godmother.
This union was briefly interrupted when he enlisted with the United States Air Force on July 26, 1961. While enlisted, he served in Postal Special Services - Management and Supervision. Upon his receiving an Honorable Discharge on November 26, 1966 he returned to Albion (MI) to marry the love of his life; later being ordained as a Deacon of Bethel Baptist Church, where they served jointly on the diaconate ministry. His military training led him to join the Albion Postal Service, where he provided many years of dedicated service, and retired.
To this union was born, Christopher Douglas Coleman. Mr. Coleman also has served as a father, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, brother-in-law, and counselor and friend to many others; each relationship being no less special than the other. Douglas was widowed after 48 years of marriage to Lillian (Cookie), and continued to devote himself to the 55+ year memory of his “Precious.”
Douglas leaves to carry on his memory: his son, Christopher (Washington DC); siblings, Michael Murphy (Waldorf, MD), William (Chicago), Cecil (Green Bay), Cecelia (St. Paul), and Wilma, Lena and Robert. In-laws: Anna Nelson (Pontiac), Elvira (Terry) Mc Cracken, Evelyn Grey, Gwendolyn Harper (all of Kalamazoo), Carl R. Harper (Tampa), and Lori Harper (Albion). He is preceded in death by: father - William Wheeler Coleman, mother – Mattie Barlow, wife – Lillian R. Coleman; siblings: Thomas (Pablo) and Mark (David), (both of Chicago), and in-law, Bessie Mae Harper (Sibley, LA), Roberta Harper (Kalamazoo). He also leaves a host of beloved family members, dear friends, and colleagues.
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