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Ralph Wadford Coleman

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Ralph Wadford Coleman

Birth
Delhi, Richland Parish, Louisiana, USA
Death
21 Mar 2021 (aged 79)
Ruston, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, USA
Burial
Monticello, East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Ralph Coleman
August 22, 1941 - March 21, 2021

Funeral services for Ralph Coleman, age 79 of Downsville will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Piney Woods Christian Church. Interment will follow in New Hope Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Piney Woods Christian Church.Funeral services for Ralph Wadford Coleman, age 79 will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Piney Woods Christian Church with Rev. Blain Markham, Rev. Thomas Patton, Rev. Fred Hale and Brother Patrick Patton officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Baptist Cemetery in Monticello, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.

Ralph was born on August 22, 1941 in Delhi, LA and passed away on March 21, 2021 in Ruston, LA. He lived in Monticello, East Carroll Parish his entire life, it was not until his health failed him in 2018 that he moved to Downsville, LA. Ralph loved people, horses (all animals), music, sports, his family and friends. He was all things to all people, a friend to everyone and never met a stranger. Ralph was tough, determined, humorous, kind and most of all, loving. He had a heart to serve his family and friends. Ralph served his community and fellow men endlessly. Though he was a friend to many high-ranking officials from US Senators, the Governor, and more, he was a most excellent friend to all, for he knew no ethic or social lines. His love for mankind was not based on status or income level.

Ralph met Jesus at an early age and served in numerous capacities at his home church at New Hope Baptist. As a lover of equine, he was a member of the National Cutting Horse Association. He served on the board, and as president, of the Northeast LA Cutting Horse Association and was a member of the Northeast LA Team Roping Association. Ralph was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #222 in Lake Providence. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Barak Shrine Temple in Monroe, LA. Ralph served on the East Carroll Parish Police Jury for a term as well.

Ralph was musically talented. He could play the acoustic guitar, bass, mandolin, sax and the piano. Ralph had a band for many years and called it Ralph Coleman and the Western Sounds. He played at many theatres, street dances, rodeo dances, benefits and fundraisers. Ralph also played with such greats as Carl Smith, Carl & Pearl Butler and Ace Cannon. In high school he was a competitive athlete who enjoyed basketball, baseball and boxing. Truth is he loved a good fight. He was selected to Boys State as a senior and then attended Northeast Louisiana University in the fall of 1959. Ralph spent most of his life farming. In addition to his love for horses, he raised cotton, soybeans, rice and ran a cow calf operation of up to 300 head. He also owned a commercial fence company erecting all kinds of fencing.

Ralph's greatest love in life was his family. He loved his family with no limitations. There was nothing he wouldn't do to provide above and beyond for his wife and children. Ralph Coleman was a GIVER. He made it his business to support and include his family in all his activities. Ralph enjoyed playing music and making memories with his family. He also enjoyed playing music with his brothers, David and Carl and loved their jam sessions. ReRe and her family and the McCarty's always had a blast at family gatherings, the Monticello Jamboree and the Southland Opry in Alexandria. Ralph loved music, the Oak Grove Theatre, Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry. His joy was evident when he was playing, singing or entertaining folks.

Randy, with his horsemanship and piano expertise, brought Ralph so much joy. He was so very proud of him and wanted you to know it. Penny was the apple of his eye. He loved to hear her sing and wanted everyone to admire her beauty and witness her talent. She was the one he always had to show off. Ralph lit up like a Christmas tree when he would introduce her to people. Kelly was his baby. He loved to watch him play ball and box. Kelly was the one who always kept him in stiches. Ralph loved to tell jokes, he and Kelly were always swapping tales. Ralph never failed to have a new joke to tell people. Truth is, he was full of humor and loved to be the center of attention. He surely had the ability to make you laugh and take life a little less serious. He loved our ReRe, he always wanted her to have the very best in life. He wanted to keep her in a good car, in fancy clothes and diamonds on her hand. His love for her was evident to ALL who knew him. Ralph loved his grandkids and his great grandchildren. He loved to spoil them and loved for them to hang out at Popeye and Rere's. He loved being their refuge.

Ralph was preceded in death by parents: Morris Jefferson Coleman and wife Susie Aurel Bryan Coleman; grandparents: William Lee Coleman and wife Mattie Bowman Coleman, Rev. Oscar Owen Bryan and wife Mary Bumgardner Bryan; brother: David Coleman; niece: Gwendolyn Coleman and nephew: William Paul Coleman.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 62 years: Florence Sikes Coleman; two sons: Randall Lane Coleman and wife Debby, Jefferson Kelly Coleman and wife Tralynn; daughter: Penny Bridget Coleman Oswalt and husband David Oswalt; ten grandchildren: Randall Lane Coleman Jr. and wife Amy, Ralph Joseph Coleman and wife Brittany, Mindy Nell Oswalt Springer and husband Chad, David Cain Oswalt Jr., Wesley Lee Coleman, Kasey Lynn Coleman Coco and husband Gatson, Taylor LeAnn Coleman, Hannah Danielle Troia Lewis, Sarrah Christine Troia Williams and husband Trent, Haley June Troia; thirteen great grandchildren: Jacob Coleman, McKenzie Coleman, Lucas Coleman, Mason Coleman, Peyton Coleman, Eli Springer, Will Springer, Sam Springer, Carsen Coco, Graham Lewis, Eden Lewis, Emersyn Williams and Estelle Williams. As well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lane Coleman, Joey Coleman, Wes Coleman, Steve Pierce, Chad Springer, Jacob Coleman and Sam Hughes. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Ed Coleman, Harvey Patton, Danny Harrison, Mike Benton, Dale Rinicker, Jerry Walley, Jerry Smitherman, Gerald King, Joe Simpson, Mike Brown, Dick Brown and Jimmy Cook.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., March 23, 2021 at Piney Woods Christian Church. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com
Ralph Coleman
August 22, 1941 - March 21, 2021

Funeral services for Ralph Coleman, age 79 of Downsville will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Piney Woods Christian Church. Interment will follow in New Hope Baptist Cemetery under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Piney Woods Christian Church.Funeral services for Ralph Wadford Coleman, age 79 will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Piney Woods Christian Church with Rev. Blain Markham, Rev. Thomas Patton, Rev. Fred Hale and Brother Patrick Patton officiating. Interment will follow at New Hope Baptist Cemetery in Monticello, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.

Ralph was born on August 22, 1941 in Delhi, LA and passed away on March 21, 2021 in Ruston, LA. He lived in Monticello, East Carroll Parish his entire life, it was not until his health failed him in 2018 that he moved to Downsville, LA. Ralph loved people, horses (all animals), music, sports, his family and friends. He was all things to all people, a friend to everyone and never met a stranger. Ralph was tough, determined, humorous, kind and most of all, loving. He had a heart to serve his family and friends. Ralph served his community and fellow men endlessly. Though he was a friend to many high-ranking officials from US Senators, the Governor, and more, he was a most excellent friend to all, for he knew no ethic or social lines. His love for mankind was not based on status or income level.

Ralph met Jesus at an early age and served in numerous capacities at his home church at New Hope Baptist. As a lover of equine, he was a member of the National Cutting Horse Association. He served on the board, and as president, of the Northeast LA Cutting Horse Association and was a member of the Northeast LA Team Roping Association. Ralph was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #222 in Lake Providence. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Barak Shrine Temple in Monroe, LA. Ralph served on the East Carroll Parish Police Jury for a term as well.

Ralph was musically talented. He could play the acoustic guitar, bass, mandolin, sax and the piano. Ralph had a band for many years and called it Ralph Coleman and the Western Sounds. He played at many theatres, street dances, rodeo dances, benefits and fundraisers. Ralph also played with such greats as Carl Smith, Carl & Pearl Butler and Ace Cannon. In high school he was a competitive athlete who enjoyed basketball, baseball and boxing. Truth is he loved a good fight. He was selected to Boys State as a senior and then attended Northeast Louisiana University in the fall of 1959. Ralph spent most of his life farming. In addition to his love for horses, he raised cotton, soybeans, rice and ran a cow calf operation of up to 300 head. He also owned a commercial fence company erecting all kinds of fencing.

Ralph's greatest love in life was his family. He loved his family with no limitations. There was nothing he wouldn't do to provide above and beyond for his wife and children. Ralph Coleman was a GIVER. He made it his business to support and include his family in all his activities. Ralph enjoyed playing music and making memories with his family. He also enjoyed playing music with his brothers, David and Carl and loved their jam sessions. ReRe and her family and the McCarty's always had a blast at family gatherings, the Monticello Jamboree and the Southland Opry in Alexandria. Ralph loved music, the Oak Grove Theatre, Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry. His joy was evident when he was playing, singing or entertaining folks.

Randy, with his horsemanship and piano expertise, brought Ralph so much joy. He was so very proud of him and wanted you to know it. Penny was the apple of his eye. He loved to hear her sing and wanted everyone to admire her beauty and witness her talent. She was the one he always had to show off. Ralph lit up like a Christmas tree when he would introduce her to people. Kelly was his baby. He loved to watch him play ball and box. Kelly was the one who always kept him in stiches. Ralph loved to tell jokes, he and Kelly were always swapping tales. Ralph never failed to have a new joke to tell people. Truth is, he was full of humor and loved to be the center of attention. He surely had the ability to make you laugh and take life a little less serious. He loved our ReRe, he always wanted her to have the very best in life. He wanted to keep her in a good car, in fancy clothes and diamonds on her hand. His love for her was evident to ALL who knew him. Ralph loved his grandkids and his great grandchildren. He loved to spoil them and loved for them to hang out at Popeye and Rere's. He loved being their refuge.

Ralph was preceded in death by parents: Morris Jefferson Coleman and wife Susie Aurel Bryan Coleman; grandparents: William Lee Coleman and wife Mattie Bowman Coleman, Rev. Oscar Owen Bryan and wife Mary Bumgardner Bryan; brother: David Coleman; niece: Gwendolyn Coleman and nephew: William Paul Coleman.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 62 years: Florence Sikes Coleman; two sons: Randall Lane Coleman and wife Debby, Jefferson Kelly Coleman and wife Tralynn; daughter: Penny Bridget Coleman Oswalt and husband David Oswalt; ten grandchildren: Randall Lane Coleman Jr. and wife Amy, Ralph Joseph Coleman and wife Brittany, Mindy Nell Oswalt Springer and husband Chad, David Cain Oswalt Jr., Wesley Lee Coleman, Kasey Lynn Coleman Coco and husband Gatson, Taylor LeAnn Coleman, Hannah Danielle Troia Lewis, Sarrah Christine Troia Williams and husband Trent, Haley June Troia; thirteen great grandchildren: Jacob Coleman, McKenzie Coleman, Lucas Coleman, Mason Coleman, Peyton Coleman, Eli Springer, Will Springer, Sam Springer, Carsen Coco, Graham Lewis, Eden Lewis, Emersyn Williams and Estelle Williams. As well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lane Coleman, Joey Coleman, Wes Coleman, Steve Pierce, Chad Springer, Jacob Coleman and Sam Hughes. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Ed Coleman, Harvey Patton, Danny Harrison, Mike Benton, Dale Rinicker, Jerry Walley, Jerry Smitherman, Gerald King, Joe Simpson, Mike Brown, Dick Brown and Jimmy Cook.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., March 23, 2021 at Piney Woods Christian Church. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com


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