Wilma Lou Coleman

Wilma Ramsey Coleman passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024, at the age of 93.

Born on June 14, 1931 in Pampa, Texas, Wilma Lou was the youngest child of Leon and Lucille Ramsey. She had two older brothers, Johnny and David. When she was a youngster, the family moved to Sherman, Texas, where Wilma spent her childhood, graduating from Sherman High School in 1948. She always spoke glowingly of her hometown and was extremely proud to be from Sherman. 

After graduating high school, Wilma attended Abilene Christian College (now Abilene Christian University), where she received her degree in Home Economics. She sang in the choir and toured rather extensively with the school’s A Cappella Chorus, where her mezzo-soprano voice was especially noteworthy. Years later, she also studied for a master’s degree in Child Development at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO.

While at ACC, Wilma met Jack Coleman, who was from Tulsa, Oklahoma and played on the ACC Tennis Team. They were married in Sherman on Dec. 21, 1951, and were together for nearly 56 years until Jack’s death in November, 2006. Early in their marriage, Jack and Wilma served as Church of Christ missionaries for small congregations in various parts of the country, before Jack eventually moved into education and coaching.

 The economic demands of raising five children required the family to move around a lot, but they finally settled in Texas, where they lived for over 50 years. Jack and Wilma retired to Belton, after living in Garland, where they ran the municipal tennis center for the City of Garland for nearly 30 years.

Though not competitive in sports – like her husband and children – Wilma excelled at bridge and other card games, as well as dominos and any game involving words. She and Jack had daily games of Scrabble in their later years, and often raced to see who could get to the crossword puzzle first.

Wilma was an avid reader of books, mainly fiction and books about spirituality, as well as newspapers. It was not uncommon to receive a card from her with a clipping from a newspaper that she had found interesting and wanted to share. She was a faithful correspondent with friends and family, frequently keeping in touch with letters and cards in her beautiful handwriting.

The defining characteristic of Wilma’s life was her kindness. She had a deep abiding compassion and love for those around her, especially young people and small children—she was a foster parent to newborns and ran a daycare center at various points in her life—and was genuinely interested in the lives of anyone she met. Within minutes of meeting someone new, Wilma would have developed a lifelong friend.

Wilma was a great cook and especially gifted as a baker. Her sweet rolls and icebox cookies were legendary. She made three-layer cakes for birthdays and cobblers and pies “just because.…”

Pretty much any sort of handiwork or craft came naturally to Wilma. She was an excellent seamstress, toiling away countless hours on an old Singer machine that went through multiple overhauls, and enjoyed quilting and crocheting. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the beneficiaries of her gifts over the years— smocked and embroidered dresses, doll outfits, curtains, blanket and quilt sets, and tons of afghans. 

Wilma’s love of plants and flowers kept her home, porch, patio or balcony beautiful year-round and she enjoyed arranging flowers and making wreaths for various friends and family members throughout the year. 

Given her talents and skills and the way she cared about those around her, holidays, parties, family get-togethers and any other special event were the times Wilma’s light shone most brightly. She cooked the meals, made the decorations and crafted party favors and gifts. And during all the preparations and clean-up, she could be heard singing in three-part harmony with her daughters as they worked together in the kitchen. Times like these are when her passing will be felt most keenly. 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Wilma’s faith sustained her throughout her life. She believed in the power of prayer to overcome hardships and trying times; and she believed that God could and would bring out the best in people. Just as he did with her.

Wilma was preceded in death by Jack, as well her parents, brothers, and great granddaughter, Hannah Brashears. She is survived by five children—Brit Coleman, Brad Coleman (and wife, Kemi), Patrice Coleman, Laura Upchurch and Mallory Milligan (and husband, Larry). “Grammy Lou” also leaves 16 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren who will miss her dearly.