Thomas (Tommy) Jospeh Coleman

Funeral services for Thomas Joseph Coleman will be held Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Soul Harbor Pentecostal Church in Shuqualak, MS. Internment will follow in Pinetucky Cemetery with Bro. Jared Glover and Bro Danny Ray Coleman officiating. Visitation will take place Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at the church from 6-8 p.m. Mr. Coleman, 66, of Shuqualak, passed away February 25, 2024, at Noxubee General Hospital in Macon, MS. Memorials can be made to NWTF, Lee Sciple Chapter,4588 Paulette Rd., Macon, MS 39341, NWTF, South Pickens Chapter, 657 Spring St., Carrollton, AL  35447, or MS Dog Hunter’s Association, attention Michael Setcliff, 778 Macedonia Rd, Petal, MS  39465,Or PSP, 325 Hudson St, Fourth Floor, New York, NY  10013. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Tommy Coleman was born April 19, 1957, to James Otto Coleman and Mamie Clytee Higginbotham Coleman. Fittingly, he was born in Drew, MS, the birthplace of legends.
From a very young age, Tommy developed a passion and love for the outdoors that would last his entire lifetime. He worked as a welder and boilermaker and made friends all across the United States but was never more happy than when he was at home in the woods of Noxubee County.

Tommy had a unique passion for hunting and fishing and never turned down an opportunity to introduce youngsters to either. He was a rabid supporter of his children’s sports and rodeo endeavors.

There are not enough adjectives to portray Tommy’s contributions and devotion to White House Mountain Hunting Club, but legendary, iconic, and faithful all fit. Every White House member was considered family to Tommy, and “Country Boy” was always willing to do whatever was asked to keep the club’s traditions going. Tommy’s dynamic personality was easy to spot, but he had a heart of gold that not everyone got to witness. He would, and did, give the shirt off his back to help friends in need; often with no questions asked and no recognition sought. One definition of the word outlaw is “a person who refuses to be governed by the established rules or practices of any group; a nonconformist … a horse which cannot be broken.” In this sense, Tommy Coleman was truly an outlaw. Tommy lived his life with no regard for rules and regulations, often with no regard for law or limitations. Indeed, he lived life on his own terms.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by a daughter, Christy Coleman, and a son, T.J. Coleman, both of Shuqualak, MS. Other survivors include sister Libby Smith and brothers Eddie Coleman and Jimmy (Sheila) Coleman, all of Shuqualak, MS; grandchildren Justin White, Raelee White, and Clara Griffin; and an endless number of family and friends who will miss him.

Pallbearers will be Gray Coleman, James Coleman, Keith Coleman, Kelly Coleman, Dale Chancellor, Cody Parkes, Ryan Buchanan, and Steven Turner.