Nancy May Coleman

Nancy Theresa May Coleman was born at home in Kingsville on March 27, 1935, to Clarence and Sophie May. Nancy was the 8th child of 14, the oldest being 10 years older and the youngest 10 years younger. Her mother noted that she first smiled at 3 days old and never stopped. She was the only sister sandwiched between brothers, and all of her siblings said she was her daddy’s favorite! At the age of 5, she exhibited the ability to play the piano by ear. She had a lovely voice, and if she could sing it or hum it, she could play it on the piano. In later years, she was probably best known for her rendition of Jalisco, which was often the hit of the party.

Nancy participated in choir, basketball, cheer, and drama at Riviera High School. After graduation, she attended Texas A & I College, studying Elementary Education. There, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and the A Cappella Choir. It was at A & I that she met her ‘gorgeous blue-eyed’ future husband, Willis H. (Bill) Coleman. The couple was married at St. Gertrude Church on August 1, 1956. After a year of brief travels for military service, the couple returned to Kingsville to build their family and life together.

Bill loved to go on hunting trips, but he admitted that he got very anxious after a day or two because he had never spent more than 3 days away from Nancy ever. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before she lost him to cancer. Before his passing, Bill told his kids to be good to their mother because “she was the sweetest little girl he had ever known”.

Nancy was active in the Evening Garden Club, Women’s Club, Tejas Dance Club, King High Booster Club, St. Gertrude Church Choir and was a member of St. Gertrude Parish for 72 years. She taught for 24 years for KISD and worked 9 years as a realtor with Century 21. Nancy loved to sing, play the piano, sew, and garden, but mostly she just loved being surrounded by people. Family was everything, and she helped her daughters organize the Annual May Family Reunion attended by over 300 people for 20 years. She spent her retirement years traveling to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their various activities.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Sophie, and her husband, Bill. 

She is survived by her daughters Patricia (Mike) Johnson, Mary Coleman, son Willis H. (Elizabeth) Coleman, Jr., Grandsons Cole (Courtney) Cloud, Willis H. (Bailey) Coleman, III, and Wyatt Coleman. Granddaughters Adrienne (Whit) Jordan and Christine (Matt) Sawtelle. Great-grandchildren Wyatt Jordan, Catie Cloud, Jackson Jordan, Boone Jordan, Scarlett Sawtelle, Carrie Eva Cloud, Sage Sawtelle, Chloe Cloud, Scout Sawtelle, and Willis H. Coleman, IV. And dear friend Juan Serrano.

The family would like to thank Jennifer Vela for her loving and compassionate care at home.

The family will be receiving condolences at St Gertrude Catholic Church on March 13, 2026, beginning at 3:00 PM and ending with a Holy Rosary at 5:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will take place at St Gertrude Catholic Church the following day, starting at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Gertrude Building Fund, 1120 S. 8th Street, Kingsville, Tx 78363 OR Our Lady of Consolation, 204 Palm Avenue, Riviera, Tx 78379.