Catherine Toole Coleman

Catherine Toole Coleman

Augusta, Ga. - Mrs. Catherine (“Cathy”) Toole Coleman, 61, passed away on October 16, 2018 at her home in Augusta, Georgia. Mrs. Coleman was the daughter of the late James Milton Toole and the late Frances Patricia Toole, both natives of Jacksonville, Florida who later resided in Moultrie, Georgia.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.

Mrs. Coleman was born in Jacksonville, Florida. During her childhood, her father’s employment took the family from Jacksonville to Greensboro, North Carolina, to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Jackson, Mississippi, to Atlanta, Georgia and then to Moultrie, Georgia. Cathy attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School and then Columbia High School in Atlanta, and later graduated from Moultrie High School in 1975 after her family moved to Colquitt County. She attended Valdosta State University and Abraham Baldwin Technical College. After moving to Atlanta, she worked at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Atlanta and later at Days Inn of America. In 1979, she returned to Moultrie and worked for her father’s business, Liberty Oil & Manufacturing Co. for several years. In 1982 after moving with her husband to Augusta, Georgia, she was employed at SunTrust Bank in Daniel Village.

Cathy was a seventh generation Menorcan whose ancestors, from the Mediterranean island of Menorca, came to America in 1768 as indentured servants working for Dr. Andrew Turnbull’s colony established at New Smyrna, Florida. When Turnbull’s enterprise failed because of disease and other causes, the surviving Menorcans walked north to St. Augustine where they established roots and became a prominent part of that community which continues to this day. Her mother’s maiden name was Hernandez which is one of the many families from Menorca. Cathy became a student of the Menorcan colonization in Florida and corresponded with historians who studied that period. She was very proud of her Florida roots, generally, and counted among her favorite destinations St. George Island where she vacationed for many years with her family. She was also an avid Florida Gators fan.

Cathy has always loved animals. She was a member of the CSRA Humane Society for a number of years when she first arrived in Augusta. She was intellectually curious, was well versed in current affairs, and generally held strong opinions. From her father Cathy learned a love of culinary arts. She was an adventurous and talented cook, frequently trying difficult creations, and ordering spices and other ingredients from far away places. She was proud whenever her friend, Kerry Armbruster (a professional chef), or his wife Jeri, approved of a dish she prepared. Her desserts were a favorite at family gatherings. For many years she grew datil pepper plants which she regularly used in dishes.

The thing she treasured most in life was her family: her mother and father, Jim and Frances Toole, her brother Devin (“Buddy”), her late sister Melissa who passed away in 2016. After Cathy’s daughter Emma was born in 1990, her life centered around raising her child.

Cathy volunteered in various capacities at Augusta Preparatory Day School where Emma attended from kindergarten through 9th grade. Emma, now a school teacher, brought her mother great happiness for the last 28 years.

Mrs. Coleman is survived by her husband of 36 years, Edward J. Coleman, III, of
Savannah, Georgia, her daughter, Emma Leigh Coleman of Augusta, Georgia, and her brother James Devin Toole (Deidre Wilder Toole) of Cartersville, GA. Mrs. Coleman is also survived by her niece Marcella Keenum Davis of New Orleans and her nephew James Lucas Toole of Cartersville, GA. Her extended family includes her mother-in-law Jeraldine Carpenter Coleman of Marietta, GA, and five sisters-in-law: Anne Lehman (Dean Lehman) of Longmont, CO, Karen Hirons (Allen Hirons) of Marietta, GA, Judith McFarland (Clifford McFarland) of Houston, TX, Amy Pauline Martin of Dallas, TX and Jane Carpenter Smith (Matt Smith) of Atlanta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527 (Tel. 912.635.4444)

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com