Patsy McKee Coleman

Patsy McKee "Patty Ann" Coleman, age 84, passed away on December 16, 2024, at the Pinnacle in Oxford, Mississippi. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, she was a shining example of love and devotion to her family, and her every action was a testimony of her values, and her faith and dedication to God. Her joy was evident as she poured out the love of Jesus to every person she encountered. Patsy was born on December 27, 1939, in Tupelo, Mississippi to Nolan M. McKee and Truma Spradling McKee. She graduated from Fulton High School and then attended Mississippi College before receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the Mississippi University for Women.
On April 13, 1960, Patsy married Ken Coleman, the love of her life; they were married for 61 years. Together they had two children, Catherine McKee Coleman McClinton (Kelton) and Robert (Rob) W. Coleman II (Linda).
Patsy planned to be a teacher early in life and enjoyed classroom teaching for twenty-eight years. She considered her placement in the classroom to be a blessing from God, and Patsy, in turn, became a blessing to each child that God placed in her care. She loved each of her students and considered them all dear to her heart. Teaching also led her to fellow educators who became lifelong friends and extended family. Patsy loved the Lord and all the church families where she was a member. Outside of classroom teaching she continued her investment in the lives of children and others as she served God volunteering with the Okolona Catholic Church After School Study Program, Adult Literacy Programs in Okolona and New Albany, Girls Auxiliary, Acteens, Bible Drill, Vacation Bible School, the Bus Ministry, the Homebound Ministry, Soup for Souls, Women on Missions, and she was a faithful member of the Janie Conway Sunday School Class and New Albany First Baptist Church. Ken and Patsy also volunteered together for fifteen years with the Seafarers Ministry in Cape Canaveral, Florida. They would drive workers from their ships to the Seafarers Ministry, provide them with Bibles in their own languages, take the seamen shopping and dining, and witness to the seamen during their stays in port. Ken and Patsy served many summers at the Ridgecrest Christian Summer Camps in North Carolina.
Throughout her life, Patsy was known for her kindness, wisdom, generosity of spirit, bright smile, and her love. She showered her children and grandchildren with these gifts and provided a beautiful example of a life well-lived. They were her greatest joy, and the legacy she leaves will shine through them as they carry her example forward with gratitude for all that she gave them. Her grandchildren affectionately called her "Mimi".
Patsy is survived by her children: Cathy, and her husband Kelton; Rob, and his wife, Linda; grandchildren: Mark Coleman McClinton (Kay), Mary Catherine McClinton Porter (Brian), Robert Kenneth Coleman II (Molly), Laura Leigh Coleman Anderson (Chris), Marian Coleman Griggs (Joey), William Stovall Coleman (Anna Kate), Richard McKee Coleman (Harper), and Virginia Ann Coleman Wellman (Jonathan); great-grandchildren: Spradling Coleman, Joseph Coleman, Ann Clark Anderson, Kenneth Anderson, Ellie Griggs, Oliver Griggs, Collins Coleman, Sam Coleman, Benjamin Wellman, and Clayton Porter. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Celia Fisher (Harvey); nieces: Tina Scholtes (Robbie), Gail Stevens (Dean), and Mary Beth Wilkerson (Jimmy); nephews: Jay McKee (Kim), and Randy Bishop; great niece: Lyndie Bishop Were; and special cousin, Janice Coleman.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her parents; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Ruth Wilson McKee; a niece, Kay McKee Bishop; a cousin David Coleman, and a great-nephew, Park Coleman Stevens.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 19, 2024, 11:00am-1:00pm, with the funeral to follow at 1:00pm, all at First Baptist Church, New Albany, Mississippi, officiated by Pastor Andrew Chesteen. Patsy's grandsons will serve as pallbearers, with honorary pallbearers being members of the Janie Conway Sunday School class. Patsy will be laid to rest next to her husband at Vista Memorial Park in New Albany, Mississippi.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church of New Albany, 200 East Bankhead Street, New Albany, Mississippi 38652; or the Palmer Home for Children, 800 Baldwin Road South, Lake Cormorant, Mississippi 38641.
United Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with these arrangements. For online condolences and guest registry, visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com