Debbie Jenkins Coleman

Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford Debra Jenkins Coleman, 67, passed away peacefully in her home on May 11, 2023, after a long battle with multiple cancers. Visitation will be Monday, May 15, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home (601 Commerce Pkwy., Oxford, MS 38655). A celebration of life will immediately follow at 1:30 p.m., also at Coleman Funeral Home. Bro. Fish Robinson and Bro. Mike Wolfe will officiate. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of arrangements. Born Deborah Ann Jenkins on December 5, 1955, she was the youngest daughter of Lera and the late Leland Jenkins of the Pine Flat community. Debbie is survived and loved by her sister and three brothers, Glenda Warren, Jimmy Jenkins (Judy), Richard Jenkins (Sondra), and Mike Jenkins (Barbara); along with her huge extended family on both sides. Debbie married Gary Leburn Coleman on March 8, 1974 in Tula, Mississippi, and made her home there with him for the last 49 years. Along with her devoted husband, she is also survived by her two children, Lori Anne, of Austin, Texas, and Jonathan (Jon) Paul, of Oxford; and her daughter-in-love, Ivonne Martinez de la Cruz, of Mexico City, Mexico. After graduating from Lafayette High School, Debbie worked at Oxford Bank and Trust until Gary decided to build houses full time, at which point she became his partner in business as well as life. Throughout the course of the next 25 years, Debbie managed the books and kept everyone in line. She was one of the most organized and detail oriented people you would ever meet, and she knew how to delegate tasks like no one else. She commanded respect and knew how to get things done. Gary and everyone else knew you had better listen to her or else she would tell you how to do it again the right way. When life threw her lemons, she just made a lemon drop martini! No matter what, Gary was there by her side for everything. His love for her was unmatched, and they lived their vows fully... for better or worse, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death did them part. Debbie cherished having friends and family get-togethers, whether that was at home, at the lake house, at a ballgame, and definitely at the beach. She loved to laugh, had an adventurous spirit, and looked for ways to have fun no matter where she was. All of those who knew and loved her affectionately called her Mama D, a nickname given to her by her late daughter-in-law, Kerri Lyn Coleman. Together with Daddy G, she was always surrounded by love and did her small part to make the world around her a better place. Debbie was one of the strongest and most courageous women you would ever know. Even when dealing with skin cancer and other health conditions, she stayed positive and looked on the bright side of life. She battled the pain of gastrointestinal and esophageal cancer with dignity and grace over the last few years, ever aware of her impending fate, but looking forward with hope until the end. She was a complex woman- intelligent, sensitive, loving, and demanding; but she was also resourceful, creative, beautiful, and strong. Each quality by itself offered only a small glimpse into her life, but together they showcased her humanity and allowed her to have a full life lived with purpose and love. She was an inspiration to those who saw how she dealt with cancer for nearly 25 years. A fighter to the very end, Debbie was deeply loved and will be sorely missed. We know our loss today is heaven's gain for eternity. As we mourn her death, we also celebrate her life, and we ask friends and family to remember and share the good times they had with her. In this way, Debbie will continue to live on forever in our hearts. Donations and memorials in honor of Mrs. Debbie J. Coleman may be made to the donor’s choice of the American Cancer Society (www.donate.cancer.org) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate). Online condolences may be left on her Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. ~1 Corinthians 13:13

Debbie Jenkins Coleman

December 5, 1955 - May 11, 2023

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