Obituaries
Mr. John Douglas "Johnny" Coleman
11/11/1954 - 04/16/2025
It’s with great sadness we share that John Douglas Coleman (Johnny), 70, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2025, at his residence in Lunenburg County. Johnny is survived by his sisters, Mary Ann Lacy and Frances Doyle, sister-in-law, Marie Tucker Diveley (Jonathan), several nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins. Johnny's parents, Dr. and Mrs. John Coleman, and his sister, Libby Tobin, preceded him in death. Johnny graduated from Randolph Macon Academy and attended Elon University. He was a devoted brother, son, friend and husband. Johnny was blessed with a winning smile and laugh. He loved his animals and made a tasty Brunswick stew. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends, but we can all find solace in the fact that Johnny is once again with the love of his life, his Cecelia. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to The Nature Conservancy at Attn. Treasurer 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 and/or the Autism Society of America at 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 305, Rockville, MD 20852. A Celebration of Johnny’s life will be held on Thursday April 24th at 2:00 P.M. in the South Hill United Methodist Church. Following the service there will be a reception in honor of Johnny from 3:00 until 4:30 in Kahills restaurant in South Hill. Online condolences may be made through our website, www.crowderhitecrews.com. Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Coleman family.
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Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home & Crematory
PO Box 422
1504 N. Mecklenburg Ave.
South Hill, VA 23970
Local (434) 447-7171
Fax (434) 447-3212
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Co worker
My condolences to his family
I met jc while working at labcorp he was a hoot
You knew when he entered the building, he made his presence known, he was full of laughter, he will be truly missed
So sorry for your loss
Mary Ann, Frankie and family. It is with deep sadness that I have learned of Johnny’s passing. As you know we shared one of the best neighborhoods to grow up in.
I ran into Johnny several years ago when Cecelia was still here but battling her sickness. Cecelia and I graduated in the same class. Johnny and I reminisced over our common memories of growing up. Such precious times.
I live in Richmond now and have to use a rollator so I won’t be able to join you in person for his service but you will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Spreading The Love
This is how I will remember Johnny spreading the love.
He stopped to pick up a kid playing in the street (Brunswick Avenue). He asked if I would like to take a ride. I said hell yea jumped in the MG and away we go top down carefree.
I hope I can share some of the love he gave generously/ unconditionally
Miss you Man.
Friend
Johnny, we miss you already. When I asked you to serve as Liturgist at SHUMC, you never said “no.” Always there with a smile and good cheer and Christian greeting for our congregation.
While I only knew you for 3 years, after we first met, I felt like I knew you a lifetime.
Condolences to the family and may you Rest in Peace with God.
Friend
Lord how mercy this was a shock to me. I just found out today 4-20-25 that you had pass my friend. I met John 20 years ago at Labcorp he was the nicest guy you ever wanted to meet. Had a heart of gold. He love his wife dearly so I know when he came through the heavenly gates her arms were open wide. I’m going miss you John Coleman rest well my friend
My bud JC
Jc you will be missed by me and so many others that had the privilege of knowing you. You always greeted all your with that big smile and a hug. We had many good times together back in the day. I’m happy that you will now be reunited with your CC and many other loved ones.Have a great journey bud. Will miss you !!
Friend
Jc you would run if you were at the grocery store parking lot to give me a hug… one of a kind! The mold was broke when GOD made you. I will miss you forever… you were an awsome man… I will forever miss you.
Till we meet again. RiP brother! Love you.
Such a shock. I have never seen Johnny without an ear to ear smile on his face. Now it will be eternal.
So sorry to hear about Johnny…RIP brother
My former next door neighbor.
We had the best neighborhood in the Commonwealth of Virginia. After reading Sharon’s tribute…. I had to respond as well. Douglas, as Dr. John would call out when he needed him or was upset with him,….. was the most honest, straightforward person, I ever knew. He never tried to hide anything, always shook your hand or hugged you and was genuinely interested in knowing how you were doing. Oh the times we had ringing door bells, shooting fireworks, playing tennis on the dirt tennis court at their house that played exactly like a clay court, getting 10 cent Pepsi’s from the Pepsi plant adjacent to their house, riding bicycles all over South Hill, all night Scrabble games in Dr. John’s workshop with Dr. John participating and so many other countless memories. I am so sorry that Mary Ann and Franky are having to deal with this. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. I will close by telling you how much I miss him, Dr. John, Polly and Libby. As Dr. John and Johnny so aptly nicknamed me….. Tater(for Taylor) I will never drive down Ferrell and Brunswick Avenue without thinking about the best days of our lives. Those two streets included Colemans, Justices, Taylors, Hodges, Crowders, Holmes, Armsteads, Paulettes, another set of Taylors, Estes, Jones, and Fitzgeralds. Mostly boys, what a crew!!!! Rest in Peace Douglas!!!!
My friend
My sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. Johnny was a good friend and had a great smile and was definitely a gentleman. Always enjoyed his company!
Dear Frankie , so sorry to read about your brother. My thoughts are with you and your family
Joan Morris
Sincere condolences to all the family.
I’m glad our paths crossed on this earth.
To Johnny’s family – so so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Friend
As I remember our fun together with tears streaming and my heart smiling – memories with the whole family too. I was that girl in elementary school with all the guys. Johnny and I were bf/gf son 6th grade. We got kicked off safety patrol with Mark Callis Ricky Walker Gary Poythress. Dr John was not happy! Parties in their basement and the barn fire also not cool! I will miss my friend. Parties at Hogs parents bar b q restaurant was the first time the boys got the girls snacks and drinks! I also loved me some CC. They dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus and came by. Keri probably about 4 answered the door and said Mom why is CC with Santa Claus? Rest in peace my dear friend of our life. Y’all will forever be in my heart. ❤️
JC I know CC welcomed you when you arrived! We will love and miss you ! You were one no matter where you were you were smiling and loving all who were around you .Holding on to all of those memories. Rest in peace awsome friend until.we meet again .so sorry for all of his family and friends
Coworker
My sincerest condolences to the Coleman Family at this time. John, as I called him was a ray of sunshine in the workplace. I met John at Labcorp, he trained me to do his route and in all the jobs ive had, I had never been trained with such laughter and ease. He definitely made the job enjoyable. He was such a riot! He will be sorely missed. In our conversations, I had the pleasure to know that Dr Coleman had been my husbands optometrist at some point and my husband had the pleasure of meeting John. RIP my friend 🙏😇