Frederick "Coach" Coleman Treasured Memory

Pastor Frederick Eugene Coleman was born on June 26, 1953, to the late Nora and Thelma Coleman in Leland, MS. He transitioned to his heavenly home on Sunday, December 11, 2023, after a brief illness. Pastor Coleman accepted Christ at a very early age and was an active member of St. Peter Baptist Church in Leland. After graduating from Leland High School, he attended Northeast Louisiana University (NLU) and received his BA degree. Additionally, he met and married his college sweetheart, Linda Calhoun Coleman, in 1976 while at Northeast. While at NLU, he earned All-American honors in football and was drafted in the fifth round by the Buffalo Bills. After an injury, he served as the tight ends coach at Northeast Louisiana University. In 1986, he and his family moved to Orangeburg, SC, after he was offered the Assistant Head Football Coach job at South Carolina State University. While living in South Carolina, he and his family united with Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and later was licensed as a minister by Rev. F.G.S. Everett. Upon returning to Monroe in 2005, he reunited with Union Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as Superintendent of Sunday School and an Associate Minister. He was ordained by Pastor John Perry, Sr. One of his greatest blessings was his election as the Pastor of Good Hope Missionary Church, Delhi, LA, and faithfully served for 7 years. Additionally, Pastor Coleman served as Supervisor of the Emily P. Robinson Community Center and the Henrietta Johnson Community Center for 15 years.

Coach Coleman, as he was affectionately known by many students and parents, served as a mentor, counselor, and advisor to many people in the community. He was always available to assist anyone in need. Pastor Coleman was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Frelynda, sisters Jean Merchant and Lenora Speights, and brother Sanders Coleman. He leaves to cherish beautiful memories: a loving wife, Linda Coleman; sons - Reginald (Leslie) Coleman, Frederick (Quanquitta) Benford; daughter, Tessa Benford; 8 grandchildren - Kierra Coleman, Sierra Coleman, Alexandria Coleman, Jaewon (Marquisha) Williams, Jasmine Coleman, Jordan Coleman, Destiny Benford, Ferneiko Cain; 3 great-grandchildren - Marleigh Williams, Kierra Ford, and Braylon Cain. Funeral services are Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 4314 Hwy 165 Bypass in Monroe, LA. Visitation is Friday, December 15, 2023, 3:00 - 5:00 PM at Hester's Central Funeral Home in Monroe, LA.

Photo: Pastor Frederick Eugene Coleman