ardell evans coleman
1897-1969
Life Story
A Pillar of Faith and Family
Early Life and Family Roots
Ardell Evans Coleman was born on June 10, 1897, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Gus Evans (1869–?) and Martha A. Evans (1874–?). She came from a long line of resilient and spiritually grounded people. Her paternal grandfather, Joseph Evans (1848–1906) and step grandmother Ann Nichols Evans (1856–1926), were among the earliest Evans family members to settle in Newton County after emancipation, helping to shape the foundation of family, land, and faith that sustained generations to come.
Growing up in a farming household, Ardell learned the values of endurance, community, and humility. She worked alongside her parents in the fields, helping to tend crops and livestock. Despite the limited educational opportunities available to many African American children at that time, Ardell completed the third grade of elementary school, reflecting her determination to learn and persevere despite life’s many challenges.
Marriage and Life in the Altare Community
At the age of nineteen, Ardell married Joe Coleman (1895–1965), a man of faith and hard work. Together, they made their home in the Altare community along Highway 15 South, a close-knit settlement where family, faith, and farming were the pillars of daily life. Ardell balanced the demanding responsibilities of both homemaking and farm labor, cultivating not only crops but also a household filled with love, stability, and spiritual grounding.
From this union came twelve children, one of whom preceded her in death. Their children were as follows:
- Spurgeon Coleman (1917–1991)
- Minnie Lee Coleman (1920–1984)
- Mary Coleman (1922–2011)
- Lela Mae Coleman (1925–2009)
- Ruthie Mae Coleman (1927–1979)
- Eliza Jane Coleman (1929–1994)
- Essie Mae Coleman (1931–2006)
- Joe Willie Coleman (1932–?)
- Leroy Coleman, Sr. (1935–2009)
- Angie Lee Coleman (1937–2014)
- Sudie Mae Coleman (1942–2005)
Her home became a welcoming space where neighbors and relatives often gathered, sharing meals, stories, and encouragement. Ardell was admired for her hospitality, her wisdom, and the quiet strength that anchored her family through times of joy and hardship.
Faith, Community, and Devotion
As a devout member of Altare Missionary Baptist Church, Ardell was deeply involved in its programs and ministries. Whether helping organize events, attending services, or visiting the sick, she lived her faith in action. Her devotion to church and community reflected the strong moral and spiritual traditions passed down through generations of the Evans family.
Her life also embodied the spirit of service that defined the women of Altare — women who kept the church alive through prayer, song, and sacrifice, and who passed their faith down through example rather than words. Ardell’s character and compassion earned her the respect of all who knew her, leaving an imprint of faith that would endure long after her passing.
Passing and Legacy
Ardell passed away on August 28, 1969, at Newton Hospital. Funeral services were held at Altare Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. J.L. Hunter and Rev. Emanuel Lang, followed by interment in the church cemetery. She was remembered not only as a devoted wife and mother but as a pillar of faith whose influence reached far beyond her immediate family.
She was survived by her daughters — Minnie Lee Arrington, Mary Montgomery, Lela Jordan, Essie Mae Arrington, Ruthie Mae Johnson, Sudie Mae Coleman, Eliza Jane Coleman, and Angie Lee Bailey of Flint, Michigan — and by her sons Spurgeon, Joe Willie, and Leroy Coleman. She also left behind her foster son, Leroy Chapman of Detroit, Michigan, who cherished the love and guidance she shared with him.
Sidebar: A Life Remembered
In the story of Altare’s women, Ardell Evans Coleman stands among those who turned labor into legacy. Through her faith, family devotion, and tireless work, she helped sustain the spiritual and cultural heart of her community. Her life was a bridge between generations — connecting the struggles of those who came before with the hope of those who followed. The land she worked, the children she raised, and the church she served remain living testaments to her enduring grace and strength.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Willa Walker Obituary, Wed, Nov 07, 1962 ·Page 11
- The Newton Record, Joseph (Joe) Coleman Obituary, Wed, Jan 20, 1965 ·Page 9
- The Newton Record, Mrs. Ardell E. Coleman Obituary, Wed, Sep 03, 1969 ·Page 11
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
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