Maxine Coleman

Mattie Maxine (Ford) Coleman, 89, of Parsons, passed away at 3:50 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2015 at her home. Mattie Maxine Ford was born April 26, 1926 in Parsons, Kansas to the union of Wilson A. Ford (1892-1928) and Evelyn Olivia Bowles (1908-1998). She was the second oldest of eight siblings. The others were James Ford (1925-2010) and Willene (Ford) Burkhalter (1929-2010) and Edward Ford (1927-). Following the death of Wilson A. Ford, Evelyn gave birth to three other siblings: Martha Ladd (1948-), who resides in Portland, OR, John Long (1949-) who resides in Seattle WA and Robert Toms (1945-2004). Wilson Ford's death in 1928 left four children without a father. The "Great Depression" imposed severe hardships on families, black families in particular. Maxine was "unofficially" adopted by Wilson Ford's sister Clara Ethel (Ford) Cartwright, and her husband Randall (R.A.) Cartwright. Edward and Willene, the two younger children, remained with their mother. James (or Jim, as Maxine called him) grew up on his own and learned to live by his wits. Maxine and James were incredibly close to one another throughout their entire lives. Maxine attended Douglas School in Parsons. She was a devoted daughter to Ethel and Randall Cartwright and always addressed Ethel as "Mother." Maxine saw much hardship as a child growing up in rural Kansas during the depression. What she saw led her to feel that she could never do enough to express her appreciation for the home that she was provided. Ethel Cartwright taught her a skill that served Maxine well throughout her life. Ethel was a graduate of Poro College founded by Annie T. Malone in St. Louis, Missouri. "Poro Agents" learned to do door to door marketing and to produce a product called "The Great Wonderful Hair Grower." She worked alongside Ethel who taught her everything she knew about being a hairdresser. Maxine was a traveller. The skills she learned always afforded her a way to make a living. Somewhere along the way she even became an excellent seamstress. In the 1960s Maxine returned to Kansas. She enrolled in the Lane Beauty College, in Wichita Ks, where she soon went to the head of the class. Maxine passed the State Board examinations and eventually open Maxine's Beauty Shop at her home located at 2229 Morgan in Parsons, Kansas. Maxine's Beauty Shop enabled Maxine to raise four children as a single parent. She operated her shop well into the 1990's. Exposure to harsh chemicals and a heart condition combined to sharply curtail Maxine's work as beautician. In subsequent years she worked in housekeeping at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center until her retirement. She continued to work as a self-employed beautician until poor health prevented her from working as a beautician. Maxine will be lovingly remembered by her children: Dr. Mwalimu J. Shujaa; Clarence Bailey Jr.; Renee Surratt-Caldwell; and Randallene (Ronda) Eethel Coleman-Stephens; Kathy Jones (foster daughter); grandchildren: Kenya J. Shujaa; Tawana DuEwa (Bailey) Shelton; Kwame Sadiki Shujaa; Justin Dain Pierce; Chunga Tacuma Bailey; Derrick William Caldwell, Eboni Shaniece Caldwell; Chadai Sukari Bailey; Carissa Shaney Caldwell; Janai Denise Bailey; Daelyn Mishae Cole; Dylan Mykalob Cole; Xena Rae Coleman; Jumani Damu Ngozi Coleman; Surre Chante Coleman-Webber; great-grandchildren: Tyler Kwame Davis Shujaa; Imani Huggins; Earl Wallace, III; Joshua Pierce; Ciani Bailey; Meia Renee Reyes; Trevian Pierce; Zoryah Bailey; Kai Gregory, Asiyana Cole; Maleia Caldwell-Reyes; Jalen Bailey; Amir Dubray and Ja`Neaeh Coleman- Higler; and a host of cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2015 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for breast cancer research. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maxine Coleman, please visit our flower store.