Evelyn Whitmire Coleman

Mrs. Evelyn Whitmire Coleman, age 75, of Gainesville passed away on Monday, June 9, 2014, by the grace of God with minimal suffering and in the company of the love of her life, on their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Born in the Oscarville area of Forsyth County, Evelyn was a lifelong resident of the Gainesville area. Daughter of the late James Ray Whitmire and Agnes Waldrip Whitmire. Evelyn attended Candler Street Elementary School and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1957. After initially attending the University of Georgia, she graduated from Brenau University in 1961, majoring in English and Education. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Upon graduation, she worked occasionally as a substitute teacher in Hall County Schools. She was swept off her feet by a hot rod mechanic and married in 1962. While keeping her husband's construction company books for over 30 years, Evelyn began a career in Property Management. She managed multiple apartments and miniwarehouse developments for over 20 years with exceptional attention to detail. Evelyn served her community with the Phoenix Society, as a volunteer auxiliary member at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. As a child, she attended Central Baptist Church and then became a longtime member of First Baptist Church on Green Street. She was a very proud member of the Koinonia Sunday school class, whose members have been a great blessing in her life.

Having struggled with the cruel disease of dementia over the last decade, Evelyn never lost her beautiful and pleasant nature and was able to express love for others until her last moments. She loved her two children and six grandchildren with all her soul, but most of all she loved the Lord, who blessed her whole life.

Evelyn is survived by her husband, Leonard H. Coleman Jr.; daughter, Paige Coleman Pethel; son-in-law, Timothy D. Pethel; son, L. Howell Coleman III; daughter-in-law, Holly Gilreath Coleman, M.D.; brother, Bobby Whitmire; sister, Helen Parks; brother-in-law, Curtis Parks; sister-in-law, Janet Coleman Torrance; brother-in-law, Dr. Clarence Torrance; sister-in-law, Beth Coleman Jones; grandchildren, Sara Grace Pethel, Caroline Eliza Coleman, Anna Pethel, Coleman Pethel, Max Pethel, Charles Leonard Coleman. Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, James Ray Whitmire and Agnes Waldrip Whitmire; niece, Sharon Parks; sister-in-law, Joyce Whitmire; brother-in-law, Ellis L. Jones Sr., M.D.; and numerous aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Koinonia Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church, Gainesville.

Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2014, at First Baptist Church of Gainesville. Dr. Bill Coates and the Rev. Bruce Fields will officiate. Interment will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2014, at the funeral home.

Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200 or for those who desire online condolences at Memorial Park Funeral Homes & Cemeteries | Gainesville, GA | North Georgia.