Celia Coleman
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Celia Coleman, a beloved teacher, philanthropist, world traveler and matriarch, went home to the Lord on Sunday, the 11th of July 2021. She was born in Silsbee, Texas, on the 7th of November 1931, the daughter of Gilberto and Conseulo Dominguez. Celia graduated from Texas Woman's University and while working as an interior decorator at Foley's in Houston, she met and married Donald Coleman; they moved to Beaumont in 1956 where they raised two children and enjoyed fifty years of marriage, before he passed in 2005.
Celia made an impact on thousands of students that attended All Saints Episcopal School in Beaumont, Texas, where she taught art for 43 years. In 2018, she was honored by The Southeast Texas Art Council as Outstanding Arts Educator for a lifetime of enriching the lives of her students and was known throughout Beaumont for her stunning classroom transformations. At the start of the school year, you might walk into Egypt, or Japan, or Greece - each student would remember forever the awe and excitement of Celia's art lessons. Celia traveled to an impressive 23 countries during the course of her life. Her love for travel was evident in everything she did, from her classroom to her fascinating tales, to her countless dish sets.
Her passion for travel was matched only by her passion for her community. Celia was a fearless leader who made real change in the city of Beaumont. She was president of the BISD school board when Beaumont desegregated schools in the late 70s. She also wrote entertainment columns for the Beaumont Enterprise, threw hundreds of dinner parties, and served as social chairman of the Neches River Festival, chairman of Lamar University's Le Grand Ball and chairman of the Beaumont Art League's Kaleidoscope Art Festival. In doing this, she exemplified the Christian values that she instilled in all her children and grandchildren; to love God, and to love your neighbor.
Nothing was more important to her than family. Whether it be transforming a driveway into Emerald City for a grandchild's birthday party or teaching her grandchildren how to draw, Celia, or "Nana," was always available. Her house was a safe space; her voice on the phone a calming balm. Celia was full of grace - for her family, for her neighbors, for her students. She was President of St. Patrick's Guild at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where she was a long-time member and volunteer. Celia will be remembered for making Beaumont a better place through her innovative teaching, strong leadership, and genuine kindness.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Alan Coleman and wife, Julie; daughter, Michelle Stone; grandsons Steven Coleman, Chris Coleman and wife Anna, John Coleman and wife Kelly; granddaughters Madeline Stone and Caroline Stone; great-granddaughters Harper, Piper, Tate, Jane, and Catherine; sister, Carmen Read and husband Edwin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A gathering of Mrs. Coleman's family and friends will be from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 23, 2021, at Gilbert I. "Buddy" Lowe Dining Facility at All Saints Episcopal School, 4108 Delaware Street, Beaumont. Her memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 24, 2021, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with her ennichement to follow in the Garden Columbarium. St. Mark invites all vaccinated attendees to enter the building without a mask. A reception after her services will follow in the Cloister. Services for Mrs. Coleman will be under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Coleman's memory to the Celia Dominguez Coleman & Gilberto Dominguez Scholarship in Art Education at Lamar University, P.O. Box 11500, Beaumont, Texas 77710.
Complete and updated information for Mrs. Coleman may be found at: broussards1889.com.