Nedia Coleman celebrates 104 years of life, love

A huge crowd gathered at the Camelot Place residential care facility on Tuesday, March 25, for a birthday party honoring Nedia Coleman, who turned 104 years old that day.

The party was held in the facility’s large lobby, which was decorated with a number of photographs of Coleman and her family throughout the years, including a large portrait of her over the fireplace. A grand two-tiered birthday cake decorated with ivory buttercream frosting in a scrollwork pattern and trimmed with fresh roses and lilies was served to guests.

Coleman, the oldest of four siblings, was born in Roberts Cove on March 25, 1910, to Agetha and Simonette LeBlanc. She grew up with one sister, Mella Simon, and twin brothers, Willis and Wallace Hoffpauir, all of whom are now passed away.

Coleman met and married Samuel Hoffpauir, and the pair had three daughters, Ruby Spell, Bertha Coleman and Betty Stuckey. They lived in Roberts Cove until the flood of 1940, after which they moved to Crowley and opened a grocery store.

Coleman, a member of the Church of Christ her entire life, was an active member of the Roberts Cove Church of Christ and the Crowley Church of Christ.

Coleman is currently an active member of the Forest Park Church of Christ, and a large group of her fellow church members were on hand for her birthday celebration. The church’s minister, Jason Corder, was present and played the guitar while leading the party-goers in singing some hymns, including Coleman’s favorite, “Amazing Grace.”

Mayor Greg Jones attended the event to impart his well-wishes and read an official proclamation in honor of Coleman.

Coleman has five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

She has been a resident of Camelot Place since 2006.