Obituary of Marselene Franklin Coleman

Marselene Elizabeth Franklin Coleman was born January 8, 1928 to the union of her parents, Cicero Jarrell Franklin and Christina Jernigan Franklin, and passed from this life January 23, 2021 following a lengthy illness. Marselene had a long, full, active life. She didn’t get much of a childhood from having to become strong and be an adult at the age of eight when her mother passed away. She had to take care of her siblings while her daddy worked to support them. Often misunderstood by many, she was out spoken and let you know just what she thought. Time spent with her showed what a kind, loving, compassionate, and big-hearted person she really was and most people never got to see. Marselene was most compassionate about young children, the elderly, and animals. She was of the Baptist Faith and a long time member of Tullos Baptist Church. Even though at times work took her and her husband away, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School and attending services. She loved her friends and family from church. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. She held many jobs in her lifetime like cashier, waitressing, worked at a dress shop, Garan, Belden Wire and Cable, and Georgia Pacific. When her husband retired from the oil field they opened their own business, where she became the secretary and book keeper. They’ve owned Colemans Garage and Shop in Tullos, Colemans Hardware in Tullos, Colemans Rent All and Hardware Lumber in Olla and Jena. Marselene was preceded in death by her parents; husband of fifty-seven years, Ted Coleman; brothers: Huey Franklin (Margaret), Elmus Franklin (Avis); sister, Viva Coleman (Murphy); special niece, Kay Franklin Atwell; and nephews: Mike Franklin and Gary Coleman. Those left to cherish her memory are her half-sister, Carolyn Byrd (Johnny), whom she called her daughter; special nieces: Crystal Byrd and Hollie Ellerbe; special nephews: Eddie Coleman and Jeffery Aycock; half-sisters: Sue Davis (John), Dorothy McCartney (Odell), and Ruth Doffitt; grandchildren: Jason Coleman and Crystal Thomas; a host of great-grandchildren; nieces: Lisa Coleman Lemair, Theresa Coleman Comeaux, Linda Brown Nichols and Christy Franklin Smith; many cousins, and her fur baby, Rambo. She was a mentor to us all and at times life will be tough; be strong, save for unexpected hard times, and never give up. “Go rest high on the mountain, your work on earth is done” A private memorial service will be held at a later time.