In loving memory of

O C Coleman
August 7, 1936 - January 4, 2022

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Obituary

OC Coleman was born to Lee and Alberta (Mae) Coleman on August 7, 1936, in Macon, Mississippi. He was the seventh of eleven children. As a teenager, OC drove his schoolteacher sisters to their classrooms by horse and wagon. He later graduated and drove the school bus. OC moved to East St. Louis, Illinois, where he was introduced to the love of his life, Ella Weese Lockett, by Fred Stovall.

OC and Ella united and were married on December 20, 1958, and moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1960. OC worked in construction and was later employed by and retired from the City of Omaha. In the early sixties, Ella joined Faith Temple Church of God in Christ; OC did not initially join with her. One day he was shocked to see some young children on a corner cursing in ways he could not believe. At that moment, he knew he needed to be in church for his children. He joined the church, and he was ordained as a Deacon in 1966. He loved and served the Lord and his church faithfully. He made sure that his children when to Sunday School and Church every Sunday. He was so certain that he did not want his children following in his old ways, that when he found a deck of cards his children had been playing with, he glued them together with syrup one by one. You could hear OC's distinguished baritone voice in the choir and Men's Chorus. When he was moved by the Holy Ghost and walked around the church with his hands raised to God, the entire church would begin to rejoice. He always kept peppermints in his pockets, and children would come get them after church. OC kept the church in good repair and made sure the lawns were maintained. He also served as treasurer for the church's vending ministries. When OC's son Michael asked a friend how he had learned to fix drywall, the friend answered that he had learned it from Michael's dad.

Ella developed a huge loving heart as a result of her mother having passed when Ella was only seven, OC supported all of her missions to help others. They provided foster care for children in need. He held the house down when Ella would leave to help new mothers through their first days of motherhood, or care for a friend who had become paralyzed. Their nieces and nephews became part of their family and accompanied them as if they were their biological children. Together, they provided a loving home for many.

To their union was added Bobby, Michael, Eartha Jean, Anthony, Teresa, Felicia and Sheila. They also had two bonus children, Veronica Walker and Mona Streeter. They believed that if their children got an education and put God first, they could accomplish anything. Leading by example, OC and Ella purchased their own home in the early 1960's, acquired properties they rented out in the 1980's, purchased vacant lots as houses were torn down, and a property Ella would use to co-found a business.

OC was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years Ella Weese (Lockett) Coleman; father Lee Coleman and mother Alberta (May) Coleman; sister Mamie Lois "Jack" Dancy and son Eddie "Bobby" Mosley. He leaves to continue his legacy; sons Michael (Anita) Coleman and Anthony (Cynthia) Coleman of Omaha, NE; daughters Eartha Jean (Lonnie) Johnson and Sheila Denise (Rodney) Carr of Houston, TX, and Teresa Coleman Hunter and Felicia (Larry) Russell: bonus children/nieces Mona Lisa Streeter and Veronica Prayer Walker of Omaha, NE; brothers Thomas Wilson "Bear" Coleman of Green Bay, WI, Charles Edward "Buddy" (Bea) Coleman of Omaha, NE; Julius McArthur "Cricket" Coleman of St. Louis, MO, Reese "Pop" (Jessie) Coleman of Shuqualak, MI; Sisters Ira "Cute" Halbert, Marie "Honey" Goodwin, Marjorie "Sophia" Simms, Clytice "Kitty" Dancy of St. Louis, MO; and Yvonne "Sis" Streeter of Omaha, NE; 18 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and others who affectionately called him Deacon Coleman or simply Deacon.

Tributes

Cassandra Richardson wrote on Jan 15, 2022:

"To my FAMILY, I offer my DEEPEST condolences!! I LOVE YOU ALL!! I know this is so very hard! I am sending BIG HUGS & LOTS OF LOVE YOUR WAY! I remember Uncle OC as being a KIND, LOVING, SUPPORTIVE FAMILY MAN who was soooo VERY MUCH LOVED BY HIS FAMILY and those he encountered!! I only heard GOOD spoken of him in my presence!! Our GOD is WELL-PLEASED with what he did with his life here on Earth!! He was welcomed into PARADISE with opened arms, and CROWNED with a CROWN OF MANY JEWS!! ~ Uncle OC, IT'S YOUR TIME TO REST NOW FROM ALL OF YOUR LABOR, YOU EARNED YOUR SPOT IN GOD'S KINGDOM!! HALLELUJAH!!! JOB WELL-DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, YOU HAVE COME UP HIGHER!! ~ Love You ALL, my dear FAMILY! Your Cousin, San ~ Cassandra Richardson (Chicago-Plainfield, Illinois) "

Rowena Davis wrote on Jan 14, 2022:

"Deacon Coleman was a true man of God & a Godly example for all. Deacon you've earned your white robe & gold slippers. Love you Deacon.. Rowena Davis "

Carol and Admiral Larry wrote on Jan 14, 2022:

"Condolences and Love to the Coleman Family. Your parents were such blessings to so many people. They touched a lot of lives and were so loved. May God comfort you all during your loss, knowing that they?re in His arms now. Love you ?"

Diane Franklin Hairston wrote on Jan 14, 2022:

"On behalf of the Franklin?s Family of Shuqualak, MS, we send our deepest condolences to the family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Diane Hairston & Family. "

Janet Edmonds wrote on Jan 12, 2022:

"My heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family,Remember that you?re never alone during this time of loss ,God promises to be with you in difficult times to give you thoughts of peace and hope.Jeremiah 29:11,12"