The Honorable William Kent Coleman, age 61, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on April 28, 2016.
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church at 210 North Spring Street, Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 3pm, with the Reverend Dr. John A. Hinkle, Jr. and the Reverend James Knox Polk Van Zandt officiating. Visitation will be from 4pm to 8pm Friday, April 29, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church.
Kent is survived by his beloved family – his wife Cecil, his two daughters Mary Wallace Broome (Matthew) and Ellie Lovvorn (Jeb), his four grandchildren Mary Kingsley, Patrick, Marian, Anne Winston, and his sister Karla Coleman. He was preceded in death by his parents Earl Rather and Mildred Harris Coleman.
Kent was born on November 3, 1954 in Smryna, Tennessee. He attended Smyrna High School, received his BA in Economics and Business from Vanderbilt University ‘77, and received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Nashville School of Law ‘83.
Kent practiced law in Rutherford County for over thirty years and he dedicated his career to serving others. In addition to being a highly respected attorney, Kent served as State Representative for the 103rd, 104th, 105th and 106th General Assemblies from 2002 to 2010. During his eight years in the House of Representatives he served as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and also served as a member of the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, and Calendar and Rules Committee. Kent served on the Tennessee Judicial Council from 2007-2010 and was currently serving the state of Tennessee as a registry member of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance.
Kent was a valuable contributor to many civic, professional and charitable organizations. He served on the board of Middle Tennessee State University Foundation, board of Christy Houston Foundation and he was a past president of United Way of Rutherford and Murfreesboro American Cancer Society. As part of his career he was instrumental in the development of Rutherford County’s business community, such as being a founder and director of First City Bank, board of Cavalry Bank and currently serving on the board of Southern Bank of Tennessee. Kent also served as a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Board of Directors for many years, a cause near and dear to both he and Cecil.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to:
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Tennessee Chapter, 4825 Trousdale Drive, Suite 238, Nashville, TN 37220
First Presbyterian Church of Murfreesboro 210 North Spring Street Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Christy Houston Foundation 1296 Dow Street Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Charity Circle of Murfreesboro P.O Box 11128 Murfreesboro, TN 37129
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