Hilda Hester Coleman

Hilda Hester Coleman, 87, of Bladenboro, North Carolina, passed away Saturday, November 2, 2024, at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred G. and Edith Davis Hester, her husband, Vollie Coleman, and by four brothers: Kendrick, Broadus, Ernest, and Ewen.

 Hilda leaves to mourn her loss one son, Al Coleman and wife Lisa of Bladenboro; two daughters, Harriett C. Edwards and husband Jeff of Wake Forest, and Teresa Coleman of Bladenboro. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Vonda Hester (Ewen), and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

 Following graduation from high school, she traveled to Washington, DC, for an opportunity to work and learn. She returned to Bladenboro, where she met and married Vollie. They lived in Elizabethtown, NC, then moved to Thomasville, NC, where his family resided, then returned to Bladenboro where they lived and raised their family for more than 60 years. She worked in Bladen County government positions in the Tax Collector’s Office, then in the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office, eventually moving up to Assistant Clerk. In 1982, she was asked to assume the responsibility of Clerk upon the death of then Clerk Smithy Harris. She successfully ran and won election to this seat four times before retiring in 1998. 

 Retirement became a time to explore personal interests and tackle new challenges. She loved to quilt, she enjoyed needlepoint and plastic canvas projects, she found joy in gardening, and she enjoyed traveling with friends. Her homemade sweet pickles were legendary, and she shared them with special friends and relatives. She also became Vollie’s best shop assistant to help with his woodcraft hobby. If there was sanding, painting, or other finishing work to be done, she was ready for the task. She enjoyed talking with their customers and supporting his work making outdoor furniture for many years.

 When declining health began limiting her time in the woodshop, she became an accomplished jigsaw puzzle assembler and word search expert. She enjoyed reading, especially biographies, with a collection of stories ranging from Lewis Grizzard to Billy Graham, and from Mister Rogers to George Beverly Shea. Her favorite stories were real life stories and she found all people interesting.

 Her faith was an important part of her life and she spent time reading scripture daily. Her love and support for her children and their endeavors, as youth and as adults, was unwavering and unsurpassed. Her entire life was focused on service, rarely taking the lead, rather choosing to very effectively offer sage advice and assistance in supporting everyone around her. Whether it was serving as an officer with her Eastern Star chapter, attending Historical Society functions, or helping with her children’s 4-H projects, she always enjoyed putting others in the spotlight. She will be remembered for her quick smile, her kind heart, her love for her family, and her devotion to God. 

 The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at Bladen Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Pine Crest Cemetery in Bladenboro.