Mr. Richard Lee Coleman went home to be with the Lord on June 25, 2010. He was born April 12, 1931, to Henry and Rubye Barnett Coleman in Smyrna, GA. Growing up in the Oakdale community in Smyrna, he attended Fitzhugh Lee School, along with his wife of 63 years, Marian Fouts Coleman. He found employment at Southern Railway in Inman Yards. After working with Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern for 35 years, Richard retired as the Labor Relations Officer. During his years in Smyrna, he was an active community member serving as Justice of the Peace, as a member of the Cobb County School Board of Trustees, and as a Deacon at Locust Grove Baptist Church. In 1983, Richard and Marian moved to Newton County, where he continued to be active, serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Newton County Board of Realtors, the Newton County Board of Education, and as a Deacon of First Baptist Church, Covington. He was a man of great faith, and a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who loved and cherished his family dearly. Survivors include his wife, Marian Fouts Coleman; daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and Allen McGraw and their children, Matthew McGraw, Richard and Amanda McGraw and Melanie McGraw; Karen and David Crowder and their children, Megan and Kevin Long, Jessica and Trevor Kimberlin and Coleman Grady Crowder; Melanie Susan Coleman; 3 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, as well as many beloved friends. Funeral Services for Richard will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, June 29, 2010, at First Baptist Church, Covington, with Rev. Jason Dees and Rev. Clifton C. Duvall, officiating, and interment following in Lawnwood Memorial Park, Covington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following: American Cancer Society, 1684 Barnett Shoals Road, Athens, GA 30605; First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1135 Floyd Street, Covington, GA 30014. www.caldwellandcowan.com to place online condolence770-786-7062
