Mrs. Thelma Coleman Alex

February 13, 1932 –
November 24, 2016

“Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be”, Job 8:7. (NIV)

Breaux Bridge – Sister Thelma Coleman Alex was born in Greensburg, Louisiana on February 13, 1932, to Mr. Felbert Coleman and Mrs. Pinkie Pitts Coleman. She passed away peacefully at her home on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2016.
The youngest of 11 children, Thelma, who was originally named Felma at birth, accepted Christ at an early age at Pipkin Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Greensburg, Louisiana. She loved to sing and, as a teenager, she founded the group, “The Five Shining Stars,” which sang at churches and other events throughout St. Helena Parish.
Thelma, who was known by her family and friends as “Proper Thelma,” also enjoyed public speaking, and it was no surprise that she went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Drama from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 1972, she earned a Master’s Degree in English Education from University of Southwestern Louisiana.
While at Southern, she became involved with the Westminster Fellowship, which was devoted to training and supporting of leaders with a heart for God. There, she met Rev. Livingston Alex and they became friends and, eventually, they courted.
On February 14, 1959, she married Rev. Livingston Alex. One month later, Rev. Alex was called to pastor Bethlehem Baptist Church in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Together, they served the church congregation and the larger community for 39 years, facilitating its spiritual, financial and physical growth. Sister Alex took special delight in having the children from church at her house on Sunday afternoons to play games and learn more about the Holy Bible. Drawing on her education and passion for drama, Sister Alex directed many Easter and Christmas plays for the church and the larger community to enjoy.
Sister Alex had a love for language, education and the written word. Early on in her career, she taught speech and drama at Carver High School, where she enjoyed helping students to find their voices through the spoken word, poetry, drama and plays. Later, she went on to become a School Librarian, during which she helped young people develop the discipline that they needed to engage in research and to be well-rounded students.
Mrs. Alex’s love for the written word also extended beyond reading to writing her own poetry and a book of short stories, which is titled, Thelma’s Stories: The Life Experiences of an Overcomer. The book is scheduled to be published in December 2016.
In addition to her role as an educator, Sister Alex was also a businesswoman. In 1972, she and her husband (Rev. Livingston Alex) teamed up to construct, establish and operate Alex’s Day Care Center of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Under their leadership, the business was recognized as a five-star center, educating hundreds of children and providing them with the educational backgrounds that would help them to thrive in school and beyond.
During her 84 years of life, Mrs. Alex has been a wonderful example of Jesus’ love in action. As a follower of Christ, she was not only content to know Him, but she led many to Him by virtue of her example. She counseled couples about the necessity of putting their faith in Christ as the most important ingredient of a good marriage. She shared her resources and talents with others by volunteering, tutoring and serving on countless committees and boards. Most importantly, Mrs. Alex loved people and she showed demonstrated it through her kindness, patience and by giving her time to listen and provide advice.
However, those who knew Sister Thelma Coleman Alex well realized that her most important ministry was to her husband, children and extended family. Thelma Coleman Alex loved and staunchly supported her husband until his death on Veteran’s Day in 1998; she then continued on to support and nurture their daughters, Joslyn Renee Alex, a local Attorney and Business owner, and Yvette Alex-Assensoh, Vice President of University of Oregon and Professor of Political Science as well as their grandchildren, Kwadwo Stephen Alex Assensoh, Livingston Alex Kwabena Assensoh and Livia Rose Marie Alex. To her siblings, nieces and nephews, Sister Alex is known as the Aunt who loved and welcomed family into her home for delicious meals, heartwarming conversations, education, prayer, humor and lots of fun.
Left with precious memories and the hope of a great reunion in Heaven are her brother, Mr. Joseph Coleman of Greensburg, Louisiana; her two daughters, Attorney Joslyn Renee Alex of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana and Dr. Yvette Marie Alex-Assensoh of Eugene, Oregon; a nephew, Elder Melvin Coleman of Bedford, Michigan and a niece Virginia Coleman Hollins, of McComb, Mississippi, for whom she and Rev. Alex served as surrogate parents; grandchildren, Kwadwo Stephen Alex Assensoh and Livingston Alex Kwabena Assensoh, both of Eugene, Oregon, and Livia Rose Marie Alex of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana; her son-in-law, Dr. A.B. Assensoh of Eugene, Oregon; God-children, Alfred Paul Batiste of Abbeville, Louisiana, Lena Womack of Beaumont, Texas and Beverly Bonnan of Houston, Texas; her niece, Annie Jean Washington, with whom she had a sisterly bond; a sister-in-law Charlotte Coleman of ,Hayward, California; her caretakers, Lacey Alexander, Alma Derouselle, Belinda Richard and Phyllis Clay of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, and Stacey Heath, Anissa Meashintubby and Jackie Welch of Eugene; and several friends and colleagues.
Nine of her siblings and their spouses preceded her in death, including Mr. Jimmy (Louella) Coleman of McComb, Mississippi; Mrs. Anna (Hosea) Jackson of Greensburg, Louisiana; Mr. Hollis (Mamie) Berry of McComb, Mississippi; Mr. Jake (Clara Bell) Coleman of San Francisco, California; Mr. Essic (Edyce Lee; Lucy) Coleman of San Francisco, California; Mr. Willard (Ophelia; Audrey) Coleman of Houston, Texas; Ms. Minnie Lou Coleman of Greensburg, Louisiana; Ms. Marie Coleman of Greensburg, Louisiana; Mr. Roscoe (Geneva) Coleman of Greensburg, Louisiana; and Mr. Samuel Bernard (Mildred) Coleman of Sacramento, California.
Two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law also preceded her in death: Mildred Sylvester Lewis of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Audrey Sylvester of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana and Enola Sylvester Thomas of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.
While Sister (Mrs.) Thelma Coleman Alex was born very humble in means during the height of the Great Depression, God developed in her a resilience and strength of character that allowed her to thrive and overcome childhood obstacles. Consequently, Sister Alex’s latter days were much better than her former days, but her best days of worshipping at the feet of Jesus are ahead of her. May she rest in perfect peace and in the Lord!
Services for Mrs. Thelma Coleman Alex will be held at Bethlehem Baptist Church at 617 Latiolais Street, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, on Saturday, December 3, 2016. The viewing will be held from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., to be followed by a remembrance service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m.
Interment will follow the service in the historic Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery, Breaux Bridge, La.
Kinchen Funeral Home Inc., 1011 North Saint Antoine Street, Lafayette LA 70501 is in charge of arrangements.
(Pd.Adv.)