Senate Concurrent Resolution 543

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE PASSING OF RESPECTED THIRD DISTRICT CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE ROBERT KENNETH "KEN" COLEMAN OF NEW ALBANY, MISSISSIPPI, AND CONDOLENCES TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of Third District Circuit Court Judge Robert Kenneth "Ken" Coleman of New Albany, Mississippi, who passed away at the age of 85 on January 25, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Judge Coleman was born on September 8, 1936, in Montpelier, Clay County, Mississippi, to Robert W. Coleman and Maurine Anderson Coleman. He graduated from Okolona High School, attended Itawamba Junior College, and received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Mississippi and his Juris Doctor Degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, Judge Coleman served in the Mississippi Army National Guard and Reserves, reaching the rank of Sergeant First Class; and

WHEREAS, Judge Coleman served as City Attorney and Attorney for Okolona Municipal Separate School District, was elected to the Itawamba Junior College Hall of Fame, served as President of the Mississippi Prosecutors Association, and was on the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association; and

WHEREAS, Judge Coleman was elected District Attorney of the Third Circuit Court District, serving Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah and Union Counties in 1975 and served until appointed Circuit Court Judge of the Third Circuit Court District in 1986 by Governor Bill Allain and served until retiring as Senior Circuit Judge in 2002; and

WHEREAS, after retiring, he continued to serve throughout the state as a Senior Status Circuit Judge by appointment of the Supreme Court until 2016; and

WHEREAS, Judge Coleman was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of New Albany, where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and a Choir Member for many years; and

WHEREAS, survivors include his wife of 61 years, Patsy "Patty Ann" McKee Coleman; daughter, Catherine Coleman McClinton (Kelton); son, Robert W. Coleman II (Linda); grandchildren: Mark Coleman McClinton (Kay), Mary Catherine Porter (Brian), Robert Kenneth Coleman II (Molly), Laura Leigh Coleman, Marian Coleman Griggs (Joey), William Stovall Coleman (Anna Kate), Richard McKee Coleman and Virginia Ann Coleman; sister, Celia Coleman Fisher (Harvey); and many nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Charles McKee (Ruth); niece, Kay McKee Bishop; cousins, David Wiley Coleman and Colonel Robert Stacey Coleman, Mississippi Army National Guard; and great-nephew, Park Coleman Stevens; and

WHEREAS, Judge Coleman consistently lectured on professional standards of the practice of law, including ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule. Judge Coleman's life honored both The Mississippi Bar and this great state that he loved and served. He will be missed:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Legislature on the passing of respected Third District Circuit Court Judge Robert Kenneth "Ken" Coleman of New Albany, Mississippi, and condolences to his surviving family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Judge Coleman, forwarded to the Mississippi Supreme Court, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.