Glenna Swearingen Coleman

Glenna Swearingen Coleman was born in Batesville, Arkansas on September 8, 1930, to Henry and Ola Swearingen.  She had 2 sisters and 1 brother.  Except for one sister, her other siblings have preceded her in death.

Glenna graduated from Batesville High School in Batesville, AR, and then moved to Little Rock.  She began working for First National Bank at that time and soon met her “to be” husband, James Coleman.  The two were married on March 12, 1960.

The following year, they became parents to their first-born son, James Coleman, Jr.  However, they were devastated after losing him when he was 3 days old.  As Heaven gained a precious soul, God saw the earthly need to bless James and Glenna with their second-born son, Michael Todd Coleman who was born in Jackson, MS in December of 1962.  It was at that time that Glenna decided to become a stay-at-home mom. 

Some of Glenna’s favorite things in life were traveling around while supporting her husband during his military career, and cooking, she considered herself quite the cook.  She loved having family and friends over so that she could cook for them, it gave her great joy.  For those that knew Glenna, they knew she loved Christmas.  She loved celebrating during the Christmas season, and much to her delight this consisted of preparing Christmas Eve Dinner for her family.  She took great pride in decorating her home for the season, opening gifts, and attending the Christmas Eve Service at church. 

She had many hobbies that gave her great satisfaction, to name a few; was working out at the gym, which she did for many years; planting flowers in the Springtime and fixing flower baskets in the Summer.  She volunteered for 21 years at the hospital, now known as Merit Health Central.  Before her son, Mike, retired as a basketball coach, she enjoyed attending the many games over the course of his 34 years of coaching, especially the State Championship game in the Big House (The Mississippi Coliseum).

She had a special place in her heart for her beloved “Peanuts”, her Chihuahua.  When she was home, “Peanuts” was always by her side.  Over the years, Glenna and James enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends in Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. 

Glenna was a long-term member of Lakeshore Congregational Methodist Church of Byram.  For many years, she attended all the activities at the church such as, Keenagers and packing medical supply boxes for mission trips. 

Those left behind to cherish the many memories with Glenna, are her husband of 63 years, James Coleman; her son, Mike Coleman (Daphne); her step granddaughter, Sheridan Johnson of Hudson Oaks, TX; her sister, Saundra Gray of Vicksburg, MS; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 11:00 am with visitation from 10:00 until the hour of the service.  Services will be held at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram.