Uncrowned Community Builders

Dorothy Ruth Coleman was born on April 3, 1936 in the small town of Crowley, Louisiana. She is the daughter of Reverend J.J. Wilson and Delia Pierre Wilson. Dorothy Ruth Wilson Coleman has proven to be a shining light in the Crowley and Alexandria, Louisiana communities for all to see.

As a youth, Mrs. Coleman graduated from Ross High School in Crowley. She matriculated to Southern University graduating with a 4.0 GPA in a dual major English/ Library Science. She also earned a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from Southern. She completed additional studies at Atlanta University, the University of Nebraska and Northwestern Sate University.

After graduating, she landed a job as a teacher at Southern University lab School. Following that, she worked at Armstrong High School in Rayne, Louisiana; nine years at C.C. Raymond as a librarian and finally at Alexandria Senior High School as a librarian until 1989. Mrs. Coleman retired with 31 years of service as an education.

In 1961, she met and married Lemon Coleman. To their union, one daughter, Valerie Antoinette Coleman, was born. Valerie is now married to Kenneth Batiste.

Mrs. Coleman has been a faithful member of Zion Hill Baptist Church for 46 years. During that time, she has served in the mission department, Sunday School, as a teacher on Wednesdays and director of the youth and senior choirs.

She has served with many other community related programs and groups such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Alexandria Chapter of The Links, Inc. and worked with the Arna Bontemps Museum. Her favorite things are antiques and writing. She is also a member of the National Education Association and the Cenla Retired Teachers Association.

Her latest accomplishment has been the publishing of her book in December, 2006, "Union to Reunion: African Americans in Crowley, Louisiana." This publication is a guide to genealogical research.

With much heartfelt emotion and years of memory in his voice, her husband, Lemon Coleman, Jr., said that this woman of God is a fantastic person and very Christian-hearted. She loves people, her church, her pastor and children. He said that she has been an unfailing inspiration to him and he couldn't have found a better help meet. He laughingly stated that "she has the patience of Job."

Mrs. Coleman has been honored in her church as "a beacon in this community and an example to the human race."