Earl Matthews Coleman
Published 11:49 am Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Earl Matthews Coleman was born on December 7th, 1938 to Frank and Leona (Harrison) Coleman in Port Arthur, Texas. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956 and then attended and graduated from Southern University (Baton Rouge) in 1960. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts and eventually earn his Masters of Education Degree in Counseling from Texas Southern University (Houston). Earl worked for thirty-eight years in Port Arthur Independent School District. He served as a teacher, counselor and principal. Earl was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Earl met his wife, Phernell Marva Howell while attending Southern University. They married in 1962 and remained together until her death in June of 1990. One son was born to the union, Eric Coleman.
Earl accepted Christ at an early age. He was baptized, completed First Communion and Confirmation at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Port Arthur, TX).
Earl leaves to cherish his memories: son, Eric Coleman (Alfreda) of Spring, TX; three grandchildren, Devyn Coleman, Jordyn Coleman and Eric Coleman Jr.; one brother, Frederick Coleman of Port Arthur, TX; sisters-n-law: Rooselene Franklin and Elmer Johnson of Houston, TX, Beverly Jones (Chris) of Dallas, TX, Abigail Howell of Dangerfield, TX; brothers-n-law, John Hardeman, Jr. of Austin, TX, Teddy Howell of Gahanna, OH and Henry Howell of Dallas, TX; nieces, Daphne Coleman and Crystal Coleman of Port Arthur, TX, Carol Hardeman (Joseph) of Plano, Texas, John Hardeman, III (Jamie) of Allen, TX, Janice Brown (Joseph) and Sharon Roberts (Herman), Rox-Ann Batiste and Barry Franklin, Gary Franklin and Fernandez Batiste (Ruth) all of Houston, Texas; a host of other nephews and nieces, as well as cousins and other extended family and friends.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with visitation from 8 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Gabriel Funeral Home.