Wallace O’neal Coleman

Wallace O'neal Coleman, born August 7, 1950, age 75, departed this earthly world on Monday, January 26, 2026, to join his Savior in Heaven on the streets of gold, and no doubt joined the angels' choir. He went peacefully in his home with the love of his life, Kathy, by his side. A loving and gentle man, he was known by those who loved him as Oatmeal, Shorty Pops, Papa Smurf, and the name he loved the most-Pawpaw.

Funeral Services honoring his well lived life will be at 1 PM Monday February 2, 2026, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home with Bro. Brian Browder reading the obituary, personal reflections shared by Ashley Sanders, a personal message read by Linsey Coleman, and Bro. Tim Hall offering the message. Visitation will from 4 PM until 7 PM Sunday February 1, 2026, at Ripley Funeral Home and will continue from 9 AM until time of service on Monday. Burial will follow in the Ashland City Cemetery.

O'Neal was one of ten children and was known by his siblings to be slightly spoiled and mischievous. He was famous for talking them into letting him have more time with their toys than they did. As a young man, he went to work at Chromecraft Furniture Factory in Senatobia, MS, where he spent 21 years devoted to his work. Over the years, he made many friends-to know him was to love him.

Upon leaving Chromecraft, he went on to become Head of Maintenance at Heritage Place Apartments. When he retired in 2023, he had been there for 26 years. He was known for his gentle smile, quiet demeanor, and loving heart. Everyone loved to hear him sing and play his guitar just as much as he loved to play and sing for them. He was an amazing musician-one of the best, to say the least.

One of the biggest things known about O'Neal was that he loved his hair, and rightfully so because it was beautiful, almost like feathers. He was a member of Emmanuel Holiness Church for the last four years, where he was baptized in Jesus' name by his friend and pastor, Brother Tim Hall.

Things he will be remembered for, if you knew him, were his absolute love for Elvis Presley. He would often say Elvis was the best, and if it wasn't Elvis, it wasn't good music. He could spend hours watching NASCAR and westerns on TV-to the point he could quote Matt Dillon in every episode of Gunsmoke. He loved to color and, in fact, finished around four whole books since December. You could often find him in the yard washing his car, as it was something he loved to do. And most definitely, if you saw him, he was going to have-or want-a good, hot cup of coffee. That was the first thing he asked for everywhere he went.

Those left to cherish the memories made with such a great man include his wife of 22 years, with whom he shared 29 wonderful years in total, Kathy Swinford Coleman. His sons: Chris Coleman (Joni), Chad Coleman, Joey Waller, and David King. His daughters: Chastity Coleman, Angie Stacks (Jeff), and Ashley "Nickie" Sanders (Larry). His wonderful grandsons: Elijah Coleman, Bailey, Gage, and Luke Coleman, Jesse and Tyler Stacks. His beautiful granddaughters: Linsey Coleman and Sadie Stacks. One brother: Larry Wayne Coleman (Margaret). Four sisters: Beulah Anita Woolfork (Doc), Alice Fay Castillo (Nephtal), Glenda Kaye Hanna (Mike), and Virginia Carolyn Saunders (Billy). One sister-in-law: Sara Coleman. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, friends, and one special granddog, as he called him, Dobby Doo.

He was preceded in death by those he loved: his father, Rollie Lee Coleman; his mother, Mary Lee Terry Coleman; four brothers, James Edward Coleman, Jimmy Edmund Coleman, Rollie Eugene Coleman, and Charlie Otto Coleman, along with his grandparents and great-grandparents.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Jay Kimery, Matthew McBride, and the young man Hunter, who came from the Ashland Fire Department and worked so hard to bring him back, and to the two paramedics who gave it their all.

Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Mr. Coleman's family.