Dr. Viola Mary Johnson Coleman

Memorial services will be Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 12:00 noon for Dr. Viola Mary Johnson Coleman at First United Methodist Church in Midland. Rev. John Rech and Rev. Juan Helms will officiate. Dr. Coleman passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at her home.

She was born September 25, 1919 in New Iberia, Louisiana, to Ellas Louise and Jefferson Johnson Sr. Dr. Coleman finished high school at the age of 15, attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and graduated at the age of 19. She taught at Grambling University for five years. She entered Meharry Medical School in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1945 and graduated in 1949. Her internship was in Coney Island, New York, from 1949-1950. She practiced medicine in Fort Worth, Texas in 1950.

She married Raymond Coleman in 1951 and they moved to Midland May 8, 1951.

Dr. Coleman was the first African-American female doctor in Midland, Texas. She was on staff at Midland Memorial Hospital and had a private practice for over 50 years in Midland, Texas. When she went on staff at Midland Memorial, she was instrumental in integrating the hospital and the cafeteria where everyone would be treated the same. She also helped establish the Emergency Medical Service for Midland.

Dr. Coleman received numerous awards and recognitions from Midland Memorial Hospital, United Methodist Church, Sororities, Fraternities, Negro Business and Professional Women and other organizations. She received the Human Relations Award from the Texas State Teachers Association, a Lifetime Membership and inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Midland Black Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Inc. She received the Woman of Distinction award from BOSS (Business Opportunity Symposium Series) Austin, Texas 1990 and 1992, Business Woman Of The Year Award from Midland Black Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the Community Service Award presented by Midland African American Roots Historical/Cultural Arts Council. Numerous papers were written on Dr. Coleman by MISD (Midland Independent School District) students for the Barbara Jordan Essay Competition. One paper won second place at the State level, and one won a the Regional level entitled "Viola M. Coleman, The Barbara Jordan of West Texas." Earlier this year she received the Jefferson Award from the American Institute For Public Service. In January 1992 the Midland Alternative School officially became the Viola M. Coleman High School. At "An Evening With Dr. Viola M. Coleman" at Coleman High School, she stated to the students É "You Can Be Anything You Want To Be É Do Anything You Want To Do É If You Are Willing To Pay The Price Of Success."

Dr. Coleman received numerous awards and recognitions from Midland Memorial Hospital, United Methodist Church, Sororities, Fraternities, Negro Business and Professional Women and other organizations. She received the Human Relations Award from the Texas State Teachers Association, a Lifetime Membership and inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Midland Black Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Inc. She received the Woman of Distinction award from BOSS (Business Opportunity Symposium Series) Austin, Texas 1990 and 1992, Business Woman Of The Year Award from Midland Black Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the Community Service Award presented by Midland African American Roots Historical/Cultural Arts Council. Numerous papers were written on Dr. Coleman by MISD (Midland Independent School District) students for the Barbara Jordan Essay Competition. One paper won second place at the State level, and one won a the Regional level entitled "Viola M. Coleman, The Barbara Jordan of West Texas." Earlier this year she received the Jefferson Award from the American Institute For Public Service. In January 1992 the Midland Alternative School officially became the Viola M. Coleman High School. At "An Evening With Dr. Viola M. Coleman" at Coleman High School, she stated to the students É "You Can Be Anything You Want To Be É Do Anything You Want To Do É If You Are Willing To Pay The Price Of Success."

Her husband Raymond Coleman preceded her in death in 1998.

To cherish her beautiful memories she leaves two sons, Conrad Coleman (wife Martie) of Midland, Texas and Reginald Coleman (wife Debra) of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren, Christopher Coleman, Kathleen Coleman, Michelle Coleman and David Coleman, all of Dallas, Texas; one brother, Jefferson Johnson, Jr. of New Iberia, Louisiana; two adopted daughters, Helen Eldridge of Brentwood, California and Zula Eldridge of Haywood, California; two sister-in-laws, Emily Joe of Lubbock, Texas and Helen Johnson of New Iberia, Louisiana; a special niece, Martha Johnson of Lubbock, Texas; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to the Viola M. Coleman High School Red and Black Scholarship Fund. Checks and donations should be mailed to Midland Independent School District, 615 W. Missouri, Midland, Texas 79701, and designated Red & Black Scholarship Fund -- Attention: David Garcia.

Visitation and memory sharing will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Friday, October 14, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.

Condolences may be e-mailed to bill@thomasfh.net.

Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas Funeral Home, Midland, Texas.