Evelyn Dillon Coleman

Evelyn Dillon Coleman, age 94, died on January 24 at the Springmoor Retirement Community in Raleigh where she had made her home for the past twelve years. She was born Evelyn Hall Dillon in Goldsboro, NC on December 28, 1922 to Rober Holmes Dillon and Thanie Adeline Hall Dillon. She attended Goldsboro public schools and throughout her long life spoke often of the wonderful memories of her childhood, especially riding her pony around town with her lifelong best friend, Weeksie Burns. From there she matriculated to Meredith College where she graduated in 1943 with a B. A. degree in Sociology. After graduation she worked several years for the Girl Scouts in Goldsboro. Sometime during her years at Meredith she acquired the nickname “Dilly” which stuck with her the rest of her life. It was also at Meredith that she began another enduring friendship with a fellow classmate, Elizabeth Hicks Coleman, from Rocky Mount. This friendship led to her meeting Elizabeths brother, Army captain Edward Wilson Coleman, who was just returning from the war. A romance blossomed and they were married on October 19, 1946. Theirs was a marriage filled with love and happiness, which only ended with Edwards death in February 1992. Her life in Rocky Mount centered on family and the nurturing of her three children. She was devoted to the First United Methodist Church where she served in numerous capacities and remained a member until her death. For years she was a quiet ambassador for the church through her weekly visits to members who were shut-in at home or in hospital. As her children grew older, she was able to indulge and develop a number of other interests. She became quite an accomplished gardener and nothing pleased her better than a hard days work among her plants. It was, however, in the making of woolen hooked rugs that she found her greatest artistic and creative outlet. She made by hand literally dozens of rugs, of all sizes, colors, and motifs, whose beauty is still enjoyed by the many family and friends who received one of these treasures from her. Despite a failing memory in her final years, she never ceased to exhibit the true hallmarks of her entire life: her ready smile, a gentle temperament, kind words for those around her, love of family and friends, and concern for others. These were with her to the very end. In addition to her husband and parents, she was pre-deceased by her sister Barbara Jean Howard and husband Jack Howard, by her sister Ida Estelle Yocom and husband Robert Yocom, and by her young brother Rober Holmes Dillon, Jr. who died as a result of a childhood accident. She is survived by her children: Dillon Holmes Coleman and wife Tama of Raleigh, David Wilson Coleman and wife Ginger of Rocky Mount, and Jane Coleman Murray and husband V. G. Murray, Jr. of Raleigh. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Leigh Coleman Milbourn and husband Dr. David Milbourn of Charlotte, Elizabeth Arnold Coleman of Durham, William Wilson Coleman of Raleigh, Coleman Gardner Murray of Greensboro, and Caroline Dillon Murray of Raleigh, and by her great-grandsons, Landon David Milbourn and Everett Coleman Milbourn. The family wishes to thank in particular their mothers two companions, Nancy Mainesmith and Dee Bogan, who were devoted to her well-being and comfort during the latter, most challenging, years of her life and to the staff of the Clayton Wing at Springmoor who have given her such loving and attentive care. Graveside services will be held at Pineview Cemetery, Rocky Mount, NC on Saturday, January 28 at 11 AM, followed by a visitation and reception at the Benvenue Country Club, 100 Southern Blvd, Rocky Mount. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the First United Methodist Church, 100 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804; The NC Botanical Garden at the University of North Carolina, Campus Box 3375, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Location Not Available Saturday 1/28 Service Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801 Saturday 1/28, 11:00 am Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801