Hilda L. Coleman

The Story of My Life

In Loving Memory

Hilda Coleman (née McGhee), 64, started her journey down the streets of gold to be with our Lord on July 4th, 2022 after an extended illness. She was married to her love, the late Deacon Joe Coleman, Jr., on June 18th, 1977.

Hilda was an Arkansan that relocated with family to Anderson, Indiana in the early 1960’s. She was a graduate of Madison Heights High School in 1975. Shortly after graduation, she began working at Ex-Cell-O/Textron Corporation, before welcoming their son, Joe Coleman, III. Afterward, they welcomed twin girls, Jeanna Simon and Jonee Coleman. She re-entered the workforce as an employee for Target and then spent many years at Dorothy Blevins. After being inspired by Ms. Blevins, she and Joe opened their own men’s apparel shop on 16 West 11th Street called “Fit to Be Tied”. Not one to sit still, she went on to work many other jobs from Hamilton County Corrections Work Release Center, co-owned another store with “Uncle” John Jackson on Raible Ave called J. Laso’s Clothing Store, was a home health aid for Individual Support Services out of Middletown, IN, a cashier and host with Bob Evans, and was also a teacher at Mary Windham’s Smart Start Learning Center.

In addition to all of this, she was a very successful and self-made wedding cake baker, caterer, and wedding coordinator to many for over 30 years. She was also a committed servant in ministry at Anderson Zion Baptist Church where she was a deaconess, greeter, liturgical dancer, headed the church’s annual fashion show, lead children’s church and was the lead teacher for the youth vacation Bible School. She left a lasting impression on all who met her and who crossed her path, including the children at the daycare who knew when it was prayer time with “Ms. Hilda’s”.

 Hilda was a devoted wife, mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and anything else she needed to be for those she cared for. She leaves to cherish her memories three children, son Joe N. Coleman III (special friend Amanda Misner); Jeanna Simon (husband Jerry), both of Anderson, IN, and Jonee Coleman (Chantilly, VA); 11 grandchildren, Darryl Prince (special friend), and her dog “Sweetie”. She was also a sister to two brothers, Herbert Lee (wife Stacy) McGhee Jr. and Danny McGhee, both of Anderson, IN; brothers-in-law Thomas Coleman (Hopewell, VA) and Dr. Charles “Mike” (wife Robin) Coleman of Dallas, TX; sisters-in-law to Dr. Nancy Greer-Williams (Mesa, AZ), Marta Coleman and Darla (Donald Ray) Goodwin (Mascoudah, IL); Sheila Fly, Jean Clarett, and Joyce Fulton (Anderson, IN), and Geraldine "Mickey" Walton of Augusta, GA, niece to Ruth Haynes (husband Alonzo) of El Paso, TX, Robert “Brother” Scales of Arkansas, and Bettie Jean (husband David) May of Anderson, IN. She also had a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Hilda was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Joe Coleman, Jr., parents Herbert and Searcy (née McFern) McGhee; stepmother Betty McGhee (née Hester); an aunt, Laura Edwards; uncles Elijah (wife Elvita) and Chester McFern, and other dear loved ones.

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