Cledis Marie Coleman-Braswell

Sister Cledis Marie Coleman-Braswell was born February 8, 1931 in Bearden, Arkansas. She was the second child born to the late Robert Coleman and Gracie Hudspeth-Coleman.

She joined Macedonia AME Church in her adolescent years. Sister Braswell is a faithful, loyal, and dedicated member at Macedonia AME Church currently under the leadership of Rev. Kent Boughton. She is always willing to lend a helping hand when needed or asked. She is currently a member and former President of the Women’s Missionary Society, and also a former member of the Trustee Board. She is very active in the Missionary Society and the Lay Organization; as she has traveled extensively all over the 12th Episcopal District; attending Annual Conferences, Leadership Conventions, Quadrennials, Bi-Annual Lay Conventions, Shorter College Gala, Women’s Missionary Society Scholarship Breakfast and Holy Convocations. On the local level, Sister Braswell attends all Area and local meetings with the WMS and Lay Organizations, Church School Conventions, and District Conferences.

She is a graduate of Ouachita High School and she furthered her education at Henderson University, University of Monticello-Arkansas Baptist School of Nursing and Shorter College, located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She received her Nursing Education Certification at the Whiteside Nursing School in Camden, Arkansas and was the First Black Nurse in the Dallas County Medical Center in Fordyce, Arkansas. She retired at the age of 80 years old. She served at the Dallas County Medical Center for 44 years and continues to serve the community by caring for individuals and families as well as the sick, disabled and shut in. 

Sister Braswell was known for her dedication and loyalty to the Missionary Society. If you knew her, you’re blessed. She’s a unique individual with a heart of gold. All who knew her, loved her. She strived to be all that God called her to be with unconditional faith in all that she stood for. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Willie Coleman; two daughters, Delma Atkins, Kimberly Robinson; one son, Edward Coleman and two grandchildren, Larry Atkins and Corey Atkins.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories one daughter, Sonja Annese Coleman of Little Rock; one aunt, Florine Robinson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; one sister-in-law, Bobbie Coleman of Bearden, Arkansas; her beloved grandchildren, Jason Coleman of Arkadelphia, Tristan Robinson (Chanelle Robinson) of Benton, Mario Robinson (Katrina Bailey) of Little Rock; her great-grandchildren, Alexzia Atkins, Ashle Atkins, Tyson Robinson, Aiyden Bailey, De’Marion Robinson, Kim’Briyah Robinson, Autumn Robinson and Mariah Robinson; two nieces, Janet Johnson (Daniel Johnson), Lisa Coleman, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Submitted by the Coleman-Braswell Family

Public visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 6 :00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2020 at Williams Funeral Home Van Buren. A Celebration of her life will at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2020 on the campus of Macedonia AME Church in Bearden, Arkansas with Pastor Daniel Johnson, officiating and Pastor Kent Boughton eulogist. Interment will be at Macedonia Cemetery under the direction of Williams Funeral Home Van Buren in Camden, Arkansas. 

Please dress accordingly to weather conditions for your comfort. Water will be available to attendees. NOTE*** | Please remember to adhere to CDC Guidelines by the use of mask and special attention to the continuous cleaning of hands with soap or sanitizer.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Gibbs, Terrian Gibbs, Lindburgh Gibbs, TaJuan Wilson, DeCarlo Collins and Nolan Coleman Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Williams, Thomas Thrower, Chris Lockhart, Grover Newton, Michael Combs, Dr. Levenis Penix and Dennis Lovett.