Celia Coleman
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.
Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Corona Virus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov
St. Mark's Columbarium
St. Mark's Columbarium
- 680 calder beaumont tx 77701
Memorial Service
Memorial Service
- 680 calder avenue beaumont tx 77701
- 07/24/2021
- 10:00 am
Gathering of Family and Friends
Gathering of Family and Friends
- 4108 Delaware Street Beaumont, Texas 77706
- 07/23/2021
- 6:13 pm
Broussard's Mortuary - McFaddin Avenue
Broussard's Mortuary - McFaddin Avenue
- 2000 mcfaddin avenue beaumont tx 77701
Comments
Sally Switzer
So very sorry for your loss Michelle and Alan.
Kim Canady Graves
So sorry for your loss. I’ve known Mrs. Coleman most of my life as a cradle Episcopalian at St. Mark’s and then as parents of Seth & Katie Willis whom she taught art to at All Saints. She was always the sweetest most person . I know she will rest well with Christ. Kim Graves
Dan Rogas
Alan, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your was a wonderful person and can only remember her with a smile on her face. From the Rogas Family
Candace LeMasters
Michelle and Alan- Dick and I send our thoughts, prayers and condolences. Your mom was a true inspiration to us all and will be missed by many.
Barbara Warren
This exquisite photo of my dear friend Celia epitomizes the beauty, grace and peace that made her such an extraordinary woman, leader and friend Looking at it my mind fills with all the not so peaceful times we shared filling our cars with tables, tablecloths, flowers, dishes and pots and a plethora of other decorations and racing to the next party. She had everything and I went to her closet again and again. Such a fun exciting partner in everything wedding and party. Michelle, I'll always remember the fruit juice dripping off my arms as I completed the multitiered fruit display for your wedding. Your Mom led me into many adventures and I remember them with love and much gratitude for her being in my life.
Debbie Gonzales Holton
Alan and family, So sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I know how special she was to you and to so many others. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ray and Angela Baker
Alan and Julie: Please know that we are praying for you and your family as you mourn the passing of this wonderful woman. What a legacy she has left for you to share with your kids and grandkids. Love and peace!
Debbie Polk
So sorry for your loss. She was always so sweet. My kids still have some of the art projects from All Saints that she them with..
Minnie lindsey
As a longtime friend of Celia and neighbor as well I send my heartfelt sympathy to her family .She was a extraordinary lady who was admired and loved n y all who knew her.
.Carol Chenault
I am so sorry for your loss. Celia was a special friend and colleague. She was such an important part of my life at All Saints. Words just can’t express my feelings.
Katie Hester Howell
Mrs Coleman was one of the adults in my life who truly impacted me with her love, grace and leadership. My deepest condolences to all her loved ones.
Stephanie Allen
Some of my fondest childhood memories center around Mrs. Coleman - from art classes at All Saints to summer clay lessons at her home. I loved her dearly.
Donna Vallee
Dear Alan, Michelle and family: We are so very sorry for the loss of your sweet mother. We have fond memories of her and you all from our early years growing up in Beaumont. She had a beautiful smile and always had a way of making everyone feel special. Prayers for peace and comfort., Donna Osborne Vallee, Tom Osborne, and Billie Osborne.
Ramona Young
Celia was and will continue to be an inspiration to me. I admired her creativity, her hard work ethic, her ability to always make anything she touched extraordinary and the dedication she had to sharing her love of art and culture. She was truly the most multicultural person I've ever met. She loved all peoples and cultures with a passion. Through her, countless children have had portals to other worlds opened up for them. She wasn't just gifted in her sharing of her love of the world, she also was a paragon of graciousness and social skills. Celia set the bar high for every organization she was part of or lead. She helped me so many times with her creativity and wisdom. Many of the drama productions through the past years at All Saints, Celia would help or loan art pieces from her All Saints cache. Like when I wanted to make the Drama Banquet feel like an Oscar's night at Grauman's Chinese Theater, Celia loaned all of her beautiful Chinese decorations for tabletops, her big gold Buddha, Chinese lanterns, and the massive ceremonial door for the backdrop on the stage. It was magnificent and only possible because of Celia. She was delighted to do it. Making things beautiful and extraordinary was her thing. She did it for others pleasure and education but also for her pure love of beauty. I will miss Celia. She was an exquisite piece of art herself.
CLYDE PEYTON RICHMOND
so sorrry for your loss---celia was wonderful to work with on the old beaumont school board.
Sylvia Weir
two of my sons attended All Saints and while both enjoyed art class as a place of respite from the rigors of academics, my son Jimmy has the fondest memories of helping Mrs. Coleman figure out how to use her Xacto knives---a brave act on her part in my opinion, but an activity that seemed to never end in bandages but always fun artwork. Tnank you Mrs. Coleman for making a difference.
Abby Iles
Carmen, I'm so sorry about the loss of your beautiful mother. Abby Iles
Scott G. Night
Michelle/Alan, so very sorry for your loss. I remember your mother very well. She was so very well respected, but I just recall that she was graceful yet friendly..
Susan and Tony Barre
Celia was a wonderful lady and quintessential hostess with the mostest. She will be dearly missed in her family and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all..
Becky Ames
Alan, Rodney and I are so very sorry for your loss. I know how close you were to your mother. It is never easy. Our heartfelt condolences to you and Julie. Becky
Jonathan Galloway
She will be missed. Some of my fondest school memories are of her art classes at All Saints. My condolences to the family.
Sheila Friedeck
Sincere condolences to Celia’s family, including her extended “family” at All Saints. I was greatly blessed, for years, with the opportunity to work with Celia on many project in many way during my decades at the Enterprise. She was, as many have expressed, extraordinary. Adequate, nice, pretty, was never enough for Celia. If she was involved in any event or project it was going to be perfect,, and jaw dropping. No detail was overlooked. And her collection of dishes bordered on legendary. But beyond everything, she loved Don, her children and her grandchildren. She did not host simple birthday gatherings; they bordered on theatrical productions. She was a beautiful, kind, generous, talented, extremely caring woman. The world was a better place because of Celia. She will be greatly missed, but I celebrate the beautiful legacy. she leaves behind. Prayers for family and friends.