Debby Larkin Coleman

Debby Larkin Coleman, 71, of Charleston, SC, succumbed to a long, very difficult battle with MS Friday, August 29, 2014, at her residence in the Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Home. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral services Wednesday, September 3, 2014, in The Chapel at Bishop Gadsden, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, at 2:00 pm. Interment in Magnolia Cemetery will follow immediately. After the ceremony, the family will receive friends and relatives at 3 Cochran Court in The Crescent. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.

Mrs. Coleman was born July 23, 1943 in Meridian, Mississippi, but spent the majority of her childhood in Pensacola, Florida and her later teenage years in Charleston. She was the daughter of Jeptha L. "Jim" Larkin and Bette Ziegler Larkin (both deceased) and was the widow of James Walker Coleman III, her husband of over 45 years and the love of her life. In addition to raising two sons and supporting her husband through graduate school, she obtained her Master Gardener designation and worked in the real estate industry for many years. She was also very actively involved in the Junior League of Charleston, The Charleston Garden Club, St. Michael's Church, and was a long-standing board member of the Charleston Confederate Home.

Her staunch resiliency, core strength of character and indefatigable devotion to family and friends deeply touched and inspired many throughout her life. Even as her MS progressed and her abilities became severely compromised, her remarkable optimism, infectious sense of humor and sense of loyalty continued to radiate. Family and friends remained paramount. The breadth and depth of the friendships she forged at Bishop Gadsden and at every stage of her life, never ceased to amaze. The family would like to acknowledge and whole heartedly commend the superb care and attention that she received from all of the staff while at Bishop Gadsden. The family would like to give special thanks, in particular, to Anne Spees, Yvonne Brown and Keisha Carroll for their unwavering dedication and assistance, genuine empathy and uplifting humor.

She is survived by a sister, Stephanie Shellnutt of Palm Harbor, FL; a brother, Jep Larkin of Jacksonville, FL; two sons, James Walker Coleman IV and his wife, Heather, of Charleston and Chisolm Larkin Coleman and his wife, Mollie, of Mt. Pleasant; and four grandchildren: Logan, Walker, Gracie and Lane. She was indeed the consummate mother, grandmother and sister, and will be deeply missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 105, Columbia, SC 29204; Pet Helpers, 1447 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412; Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406; or St. Michael's Church, 71 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401.