Clifford B Coleman

Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home

28 Harding Avenue

Jackson, OH 45640

(740) 286-2010

lewisgillumfh@gmail.com

Clifford B Coleman of Clifton, West Virginia and formerly of Jackson, Ohio, passed away on May 16, 2024, at Rivers Health of Point Pleasant, West Virginia at the age of 92 years old.  He was born on November 27, 1931, in Shelbiana, Kentucky to the late Bethel and Jannie Coleman.

He is survived by two brothers: Clarence Daniel (Joni) Sanborn of Altadena, California and John Roy (Wilma) Coleman of Grove City, Ohio; his two precious children: John Thomas (Jennifer) Coleman of Culloden, Georgia and Gil Louise (Timothy) Taylor of Clarksville, Indiana; three grandchildren: Heather Danielle Oiler of Huber Heights, Ohio, Titus Edward (Helen) Taylor of Clarksville, Indiana, and Emelia Louise Taylor (Nich) Veech of Clarksville, Indiana; three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Sheila (Ralph) Roush of New Haven, West Virginia, Michael (Holly) Lieving of New Haven, West Virginia, Judy Lieving of Ripley, West Virginia,  Sue (James ) Gumm of Pickerington, Ohio, Jane Zirkle of New Haven, West Virginia; seven step-grandchildren; and ten great-step- grandchildren; brother-in-law, Charles Dwight (Sandra) Mayse of Newcomerstown, Ohio; sister-in-law, Dorothy Anthony; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Christian brothers and sisters, and neighbors.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his second mother, Alice Dailey (Sanborn) Coleman; his wife of fifty years, Doris Louise (Mayse) Coleman; daughter, Pennie Louise Downey; wife, Frances E. (Chase) Coleman; three brothers: James Eugene Sanborn, Cyril Eugene Coleman, and Jack Randal Coleman; as well as brother-in-law, Gerald Anthony.

Clifford had a diploma from Middleport High School, Ohio; a Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College, Kentucky, and a Masters of Divinity from the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, Ohio.  He also held two Honorary Doctorate degrees in Theology and Divinity.  He taught a number of years at Boyce Bible School in Ashland, Kentucky.

Clifford was called to preach while stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base through the ministry pastoring a small mission on the south side of Columbus.  He was released from the military in the spring of 1958 and began college work that fall.  He continued pastoring in Ohio commuting from Kentucky each week for four years.  This mission grew into Fairwood Baptist Church, continuing as a church body known as Violet Baptist Church in Pickerington, Ohio.

Clifford served as an enlisted man in the USAF from 1949-1958. He was stationed at Yokota AF Base, Ushihama, Japan (Korean War) 1950-1952.  He was commissioned in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps in 1967.  He spent his first two years with the Marine Corps, one of those years was with the First Marine Div., South Vietnam during the Vietnam War 1968-1969.

After his release from active duty with the Navy in 1970 he served the rest of his military career in the Reserves, retiring with the rank of Commander 05. His total military service was 33 years, 7 months, and 12 days.

He and his wife, Doris, were commissioned by the Southern Baptist Convention Home Mission Board, Atlanta, Georgia in 1970 as Home Missionaries to Southeastern Ohio where he served for 27 years.  Twenty-three of those years he served as the Director of Missions for Scioto Valley Baptist Association consisting of ten counties.

Clifford preached in 18 different states and 4 different countries.  He was President of the State Convention of Baptists of Ohio for two elected terms: 2004 and 2005.

Clifford holds membership in the American Legion post #128, Middleport, Ohio, a life membership in the Military Officers Association of America, the Association of the United States Navy, the Reserve Officers Association of America, and the U.S. Naval Institute.

Clifford loved to read, travel, both in country and abroad, preach the Word of God, start new works and help them grow into Bible preaching-teaching churches, and visit with his families whom he loved so very much.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 20th, 2024, from 11AM-1PM at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Jackson with a funeral service after at 1PM at the funeral home with a burial at Fairmount Cemetery to follow with military honors. In lieu of flowers we ask that you send donations to the Coleman/O'Bryant Memorial Fund. Checks can be made to First Southern Baptist (with memorial fund in memo) 41872 Pomeroy Pike Pomeroy, OH 45769. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com.