Dorothy Louise Coleman, 94, concluded her earthly journey on July 22, 2024, and has now joined the love of her life, Alvie M. Coleman, in heaven. Born on September 2, 1929, in Jonesboro, she was the daughter of the late Robert Cater and Bessie Lee Hunter.
A graduate of Holy Angels Academy, Dorothy married Alvie Monroe on June 9, 1947. Together, they built a life filled with love, joy, and laughter until Alvie’s passing in 2002. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Robert Cater Hunter Jr., Magnolia Pearl Hancock, Jasper Clinton Hunter, James Altman Hunter, Connie Sue Berry, and a beloved grandson, Cody Andrew Morgan.
A nurturing and caring mother, Dorothy is survived by her seven children, Michael (Sheila) Coleman of Danville, Sharon (Paul) House, Charlotte Casey, Patricia (Michael) Causey and Robert (Nancy) Coleman, all of Jonesboro, Chris Coleman of Batesville and Yvonne (Cory) Yaunk of League City, TX.
She was a very proud grandmother to seven more grandchildren: Angela (Roberto) Belli of Colorado Springs, CO, Paul House Jr. of Jonesboro, Elizabeth (Jason) Corder of Bentonville, Maria Casey of Jonesboro, Daphnie, (Jeff) Harville of Daphne, AL, Matthew Coleman of Bentonville and Austin Taylor of League City, TX. She had multiple great and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Roy Eugene Hunter of Wynne and son-in-law Larry Casey, of Jonesboro.
Dorothy dedicated her life to serving and nurturing others. She worked as a teacher’s aide in the Jonesboro Public School System and later as the School Lunch Program Director at Blessed Sacrament School. She directed the Blessed Sacrament After School Program, touching the lives of multiple generations of Jonesboro’s children. After retiring, she missed working with children so much that she began working for Nettleton School District with their after-school program. As a devoted parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, she generously gave her time to the church community. She was a member of the Rosary Guild, and together with her husband, she crafted thousands of rosaries that were distributed to Catholic churches and missions around the world. She spent innumerable hours working on the Fall Bazaar, hand-crafting beautiful quilts for the auction, baking countless pecan pies for dinner plates, and directing the White Elephant Sale, working all year long to make it a success. She was also active in the Ladies Altar Society, and the Ladies Society of Blessed Sacrament.
Dorothy believed that feeding others was a form of nourishing the body and the soul. Whether she was cooking for her family, her neighbors, or fellow church parishioners, she made sure everyone was happy and well fed. In the summer, she could be found canning items from her garden. She was particularly well-known in the community for her pickles, and her family loved her chow chow and pickled okra. She loved to make cakes and pies, and you could usually find a coconut cream pie, pecan pie, chocolate pie, lemon ice box pie, or mandarin orange cake on the counter. At Christmas, her peanut brittle, fudge, and divinity were quick to disappear when her children and grandchildren came to visit.
Dorothy’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and love will be remembered by all who knew her. She dedicated her life to her family, her church, and her community, volunteering countless hours and making a positive impact on everyone she met.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 25, 2024, from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home, followed by a memorial rosary at 6:30 pm.
A mass celebrating her life conducted by Monsignor Friend will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on July 26, 2024, at 10:00 am, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Pallbearers include Gene Hunter, James Paul Berry, Matthew Coleman, Austin Taylor, Alexander Shoaff, and Jason Corder. Honorary pallbearers are members of Knights of Columbus Council #1702.
If you would like to honor the legacy of Dorothy Coleman, donations may be made in her name to the Rosary Guild of Blessed Sacrament Church.