It was with his faith in God, laughter, music, love for family and nature, and hard work, that Red Coleman fully lived his 92 years. On Aug. 31, 2023, he died peacefully at home in the Dividing Ridge Community in the company of his wife of 68 years and his beloved children. He is remembered for his exuberant personality, hospitality, keen sense of wonder, musical talent and ingenuity.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada. Burial followed in Dividing Ridge Cemetery in Yalobusha County. The Rev. Truman Scarborough officiated.
Jessie Eldrege “Red” Coleman was born on Oct. 1, 1930, in Calhoun County, the son of the late Joe and the late Myrtice Landreth Coleman. His upbringing in rural Calhoun County with his five siblings nurtured his love of basketball, music and the outdoors. On June 28, 1955, he made the very wise decision to marry Elizabeth Williams of the Dividing Ridge Community. Together they built their life on a small farm south of the Scuna River where they raised five children, Sherry, Mike, Susan, Cathy and Randy. Throughout his life, Eldrege’s faith was his guide and began with his profession of faith in August of 1949 at Ellard Baptist Church and continued throughout his life as he served as a deacon and music leader of Dividing Ridge Baptist Church. He prayed daily that he would live long enough to see his grandchildren be saved by the grace of God.
Eldrege was an outstanding athlete and loved the game of basketball. His children and grandchildren loved hearing stories of how fast and far he could run. In fact, he claimed to have only been slower than one person, Charles Kimbrell. Red was the last surviving member of the starting lineup of his team. After playing ball in high school, Red attended East Central Mississippi Community College on a basketball scholarship. He loved the Boston Celtics and followed them through many wins and losses. His favorite players were Larry Bird and John Havlicek.
Eldrege was perhaps most well-known for his musical aptitude. He learned to play the fiddle by ear using his Uncle Jefferson’s fiddle and loved bluegrass music. He started playing for barn dances where he met his beloved wife, Elizabeth. He and his siblings played for benefits, at churches and at friends’ houses sitting in straight chairs for hours. They were the house band at the North Mississippi Opry House in Banner. He was truly an entertainer and his favorite time of year to play was at “The Stew” as it is known far and wide. He and Elizabeth wanted to do something for the community so why not cook a Brunswick stew and squirrel dumplings, and invite friends from the community? The first stew was Oct. 1, 1971, and the tradition grew larger each year, continuing for 39 years. Estimates were that crowds ranged from 400 to 500 people that traveled from near and far for a wonderful time of bluegrass music, stew and squirrel dumplings.
Eldrege’s love for nature and the outdoors was unparalleled. Quail hunting with his brother, Wayne, and brothers-in-law was his favorite, and through his love of hunting, he provided countless meals for his large family. He and Elizabeth planted a large garden every year and he proudly admired the progression of its growth, leaving the harvest to Elizabeth. He welcomed each new year of his life with a squirrel hunt and shared his love of nature with his children and grandchildren. In his later years, he eagerly awaited the arrival of the purple martins and loved watching them interact and forage over his hay patch. Though not formally trained as a naturalist, he had a vast knowledge of the native flora and fauna of the hills of Mississippi, and is fondly quoted saying “Nature is smarter than Man.”
Eldrege was not shy about his love for his family. He was a pleasant, patient and compassionate person, and extended his love to others. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were blessed to know and love their “Pap.” He was interested in the daily lives of each of them and taught them many lessons and skills they could never learn at school. One of his favorite hobbies was talking on the phone. His family could expect to wait hours to get a call through in the evenings. He loved his daily phone calls with Estha Mae, Wayne, his children and grandchildren. If he went a day without talking on the phone, it was because the line was down, and he was not happy about it.
Eldrege retired from Randall Textron where he worked as a receiving inspector for 31 years. His career, like the rest of his life, was full of colorful stories of his interactions with his coworkers. His family loved hearing stories of the pranks and nicknames of his colleagues at “the plant.” His gift of storytelling and joking will truly be missed. Eldrege’s life was lived to the fullest – full of love, laughter, art and the outdoors. May we all lean into the beauty and richness of each day; may we all capture the spirit of Red.
In addition to his parents, two brothers, Riley Coleman and Russell Coleman, and one sister, Alma Townsend, preceded Eldrege in death.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Williams Coleman; five children, Sherry Little (Billy) of Senatobia, Mike Coleman (Mariana) of Coffeeville, Susan Sinquefield (Steve) of Senatobia, Cathy Harrison (Dewitt) of Coffeeville and Randy Coleman (Julie) of Coffeeville; 10 grandchildren, Tripp Pullen (Sarah Dale) of Sardis, Colby Pullen (Ambi) of Hernando, Trent Coleman of Coffeeville, Braxton Coleman (Ally) of Coffeeville, Beth Moore of Senatobia, Dr. Audrey Harrison (Bradley Lewis) of Clinton, Lauren Leonard (Hank) of Corinth, Keaton Sinquefield of Como, Presley Coleman of Senatobia and Jessie Dalton Coleman (Emma) of Coffeeville; 14 great grandchildren, Gracie Pippin Sinquefield, Wesley Moore, Colton Pullen, Annie Rose Pullen, Aspen Ridge Pullen, Cort Pullen, Eleanor Lewis, Sarah Lewis Martin, Klayton Coleman, Kollin Coleman, Lydia Little, Frank Leonard, Clifford Eldrege Leonard and Jesse Everett Coleman; one sister, Estha Mae Parker; one brother, Wayne Coleman, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends whom he loved dearly.
Pallbearers were Tripp Pullen, Colby Pullen, Trent Coleman, Braxton Coleman, Keaton Sinquefield, Presley Coleman and Dalton Coleman. Honorary pallbearers were Billy Rounsaville, Mark Hartley, Phil Coleman, Ricki Parker, Porter Parker, Spencer Williams, Fuzzy Clark, Billy Dean Fielder, Francis Williams, John Criss Williams and Benny Stewart.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Dividing Ridge Baptist Church.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
