Judith “Judi” Ann Rhodes Coleman

     With profound sadness we announce the passing of Judith (Judi) Ann Rhodes Coleman, our loving and devoted mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, on December 1, 2020. She was 81 years young.

Judi was born March 10, 1939 in Bristow, OK to L.Z and Zula Rhodes.  At the age of 2, a month before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the family moved to Skellytown, TX where L.Z Started working for WW Holmes in the Oil and Gas Industry.  Judi lived a full, life participating in a variety of clubs and organizations. While in high school, Judi was an active member of the Drama club which won multiple State Championships.  After graduating with Top Honors from White Deer High School, Judi enrolled at West Texas State College in Canyon, TX to pursue a degree in English. She led an active social life while at WT and became a Charter Member of the Sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.

During her Sophomore Year, Judi met the love of her life, James Glenn Coleman who she later married on May 30, 1959.  James (Jim) entered the Army shortly after their marriage. After basic training, they were off for an adventure.  They were posted to Landstuhl, Germany and during the next three years, a son, Geoffrey and twins, Timothy and Tonya were born. After returning to the States in 1963, Jim continued his career in the Army. During Jim’s second deployment to Vietnam, Judi returned to WT where she graduated with her degree in English and obtained her Teaching Certification. Judi later earned her master’s degree in Human Resources from Pepperdine University. After more than twenty years in the Armed Forces, Jim retired from the Army and they returned to Texas where Judi’s parents lived.

Jim began a second career with Liquid Air and Judi began a career with the City of Odessa as a Human Resource Specialist.  Judy was busy with many aspects of her job but her favorite part was “taking care of the Police and Fire Departments” as she always put it.  Judi had a friendly, open door policy at the City offices and she seemed to have a steady stream of people stopping by to visit.  Judy worked for the City of Odessa from 1983 to 2009 and she loved every minute of it.  After Judi’s retirement, she continued to visit the Odessa PD dispatchers and various Fire Stations and shared her famous Chocolate fudge and Orange slices with her City Family.

Judi was a major figure in the lives of her grandchildren both before and after her retirement.  She loved to spend the weekends with them and was usually found in the kitchen baking something wonderful. Judi (Mama J to the grandkids) tried to attend as many baseball games, band, orchestra, dance recital or theater performances that she could.  Judi was a beautiful, outgoing, intelligent woman that tackled every obstacle in her path and did it with fierce determination and a dazzling smile.  We will miss her hugs, and innate ability to say just the right thing at the right time.  Judi’s family was everything to her and she was everything to her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim Coleman; one son, Timothy Coleman; and one brother, David Rhodes.  She is survived by one brother, George Ronald Rhodes of Amarillo, TX; her daughter, Tonya Carroll and son-in-law David of Midland, TX; her son, Geoffrey Coleman and daughter-in-law, Jennifer of Staunton, VA; her daughter-in-law, Michelle Coleman of Midland, TX and her five grandchildren – Matthew Carroll of Midland, TX, Devyn Carroll of San Marcos, TX, Calvin Coleman of Sharpsburg, GA, Lauren Coleman of Midland, TX and Joshua Coleman of Midland, TX.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards Orchard Park of Permian Basin for their wonderful care and attention and to Hospice for the care and dignity they allowed our mother as her days ended.  The family has also decided to forego a Memorial Service at this time for the safety of family and friends.  Judi will be laid to rest at Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial donations made to The Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.