Betty Lou (Ritchie) Coleman

Betty L. Coleman, 84, of Jackson, formerly of Scott City, was surrounded by her family as she passed on to her heavenly home Friday, May 4, 2018, at the home of her daughter, Katie.

She was born June 25, 1933, in St. Louis, to Lawrence James and Ruby Lampkins Ritchie. She and Gerald M. “Jerry” Coleman were married November 3, 1950.   Twelve children were born to their union, and they had been married 67 years when Jerry passed away November 11, 2017.

Betty worked as a dietary cook at Ratliff Nursing Home in Cape Girardeau, Chaffee Nursing Home, and with her daughter at Katie’s Country Kitchen in Cape Girardeau.

Betty was the rock of her family, a very spiritual person, and a true prayer warrior.  She faithfully attended First Pentecostal Church in Cape Girardeau.  She often used her gift of cooking as a ministry, opening her home to many people who had lost their way.    Her children have special memories of their mother on Sundays while growing up.  Betty would rise early enough to fry chicken and all the sides, manage to take twelve children to church on time, and often return home with lunch guests.

Loving survivors include 11 children: Sharon (Ronnie) Propst of McClure, Illinois; Deborah Yount; Jerry Coleman, Karen (Albert) Blumenberg, and Ruby McCoy all of Jackson; Wanda Dees of Marble Hill, Missouri; Rosemary Coleman of Jackson; Fred and Garry (Amy) Coleman of Cape Girardeau, Beth (Kevin) Werner of Jackson; and Larry (Shawna) Coleman of Marble Hill; 36 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; a daughter, Marsha Griffiin; two grandchildren; a brother Larry Ritchie Jr.; two sisters, Rosemary and Wanda Cole; and her parents.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 6, 2018, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from noon to service time, Monday, May, 7, 2018, at the funeral home.

The funeral service will be at 1p.m., Monday, at the funeral home, with Revs. Robert Smithey and Timothy Lee officiating.  Burial will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or St. Francis Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now&homepagedonate

St. Francis Hospice
3250 Gordonville Road, Suite 301, Cape Girardeau MO 63703
Tel: 1-573-331-3177
Web: http://www.sfmc.net/hospice-services-program/