James W. Coleman

James W. Coleman of Chestertown, MD, died on Saturday, September 2, 1999, at his resident as a result of cancer. He was 94 years of age. Born in Rock Hall, MD, January 1, 1905, he was the son of the late Marion and Ella Amanda [Taylor] Coleman. He spent his formative years in Rock Hall. In his early years, he worked with his father plastering homes in the Kent and Queen Anne’s County areas. Mr. Coleman and his brother Monroe went into business together and formed a business hauling logs to the New Jersey area. In the early 1940’s, he and his brother formed the Coleman Brothers LumberYard in Rock Hall, and in the 1950’s they expanded their business adventure to form the Coleman Brothers Contractors. They were involved in building several of the shopping centers and commercial buildings in the area. He retired in the early 1970’s. He married Naomi Thomas in 1928, and together they raised a family of three. He was very active in the 7th Day Adventist Church in Rock Hall. His family was one of the founding members of that church. Mr. Coleman held many of the offices and served on numerous church committees. A grandchild, Michael Cohey, who died in 1992, precedes Mr. Coleman in death. Mr. Coleman is survived by his wife of 71 years, Naomi Coleman of Chestertown, MD; two daughters, Lois Townsend and Geneva Gatling both of Chestertown; a son, Thomas J. Coleman of Sudlersville, MD; 14 grandchildren; 22 great- grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Services will be held on Monday, September 6, at the Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, in Chestertown at 11 a.m. A viewing will be held on Sunday evening, September 5, from 7 – 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Rock Hall following Monday’s funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in his name to one of the three following organizations, The Kent Hospice Foundation, 118 S. Lynchburg St., Chestertown, MD 21620, The 7th Day Adventist Church, Rock Hall, Maryland 21661, or the Eastern Shore Jr. Academy of the 7th Day Adventist, 405 Dudley Corner Road, Sudlersville, MD 21668.