Essie Ruth (Varner) Coleman

Essie Ruth Coleman was born August 2, 1976, to the late Moses and Ruby Varner. She was the youngest of their four children. As a child, Essie (Ruthie) joined the Flint Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Clarence and First Lady Nettie Varner, where her foundation and devotion to the Kingdom began to blossom. After many years of serving at Flint Hill, Thomas and Essie joined Hopewell “The Well” where she remained a member, under the leadership of Bishop Larry and Frist Lady Theresa Sailes, until her death on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Essie attended and graduated from Verbena High School, class of 1994. She furthered her education and obtained her bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science from the University of Montevallo. But her biggest accomplishment was when she married the love of her life, Thomas Coleman, on September 5, 2002. Their love for each other was immeasurable, it contained no limits. She cherished him each day and he cherished her as well. She also had a love for people that was undying, especially for children. She was always ready to assist any child in need, regardless of whether they were family.

Although she is no longer present, her spirit, dedication, and strength shall be remembered by those who knew her. She fought a good fight, finished her course, and kept the Faith (Timothy 4:7); now our beloved has her crown.

She was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law, Otis Thomas Coleman; brothers, Lorenza and Marcus Varner; sister, Jeanne Varner Bolding; and many other relatives.

She leaves so many loved ones to cherish her memories: her loving and devoted husband, Thomas Coleman of Clanton, AL; mother- in-law, Dorothy Simmons of Clanton, AL; bonus father, Ocie Williams, Sr.; two daughters, Gabrielle (Dre) Wilson and Adeja (John) Souther, both of Clanton, AL; one son, Kevin Coleman of Clanton, AL; four grandchildren, Lyndon Binion, Lauryn Gardner, Laylah Wilson, and Langston Wilson, all of Clanton, AL; three sisters-in-law, Natasha Coleman of Clanton, AL, and Cynthia (Melvin) Moore and Candy (Otis) Cash, both of Brent, AL; one brother-in-law, Rolando (Jamelle) Coleman of Clanton, AL; three devoted sister/friends, Keisha Bulger and Kristy Ray, both of Verbena, AL, and Shemekia Cooper of Millbrook, AL; three godchildren, Elisha Flores of Schertz, TX, Jeremiah White of Verbena, AL, and Nhalije Belvins of Clanton, AL; a loving and devoted aunt and uncle, Nettie (Clarence) Varner of Prattville, AL; and a host of other aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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