Mr. James L. "Jimmy" Coleman, age 82 passed away on Tuesday evening, January 30, 2024 at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro.

Born in Nunez, GA, he was the youngest of four children born to the late Astor Coleman and Inez Collins Coleman.  He grew up in Kite where he attended school.  As a young child he established a deep rooted work ethic as he sold boiled peanuts at a road side stand in Metter, at the age of eight.  A few years later he was running a fish market in Swainsboro. Mr. Coleman served in the United States Navy from 1959 – 1964 before launching a long career with the Norfolk Southern Railway.  In 1966 he joined the Southern Railway which would be acquired later by Norfolk Southern.  Mr. Jimmy lived in Savannah, Macon, Augusta, Statesboro and Metter during his railway career.  He became a recognized and respected fixture along this Central Georgia corridor as the longtime Engineer of Norfolk Southern.  He retired from rail travel in 2000.  Mr. Coleman possessed a love for travel and after retiring he began delivering commercial vehicles ie: semi tractors, school buses, Ryder trucks and RVs to various locales around the nation.  In the most recent years, he settled in Rogersville, TN and undertook the renovation of a mountain cabin.  Upon realizing the need for medical care, he returned to Statesboro to be near his family.

Mr. Coleman loved tinkering with vehicles, traveling, fishing and remaining active.

He had always been of the Pentecostal faith and most recently attended the Anchor Worship Center in Metter.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a special uncle and aunt, Richard Wadus Coleman and Alma Collins who raised him, a brother, David Frank Coleman, a sister, Geraldine Coleman Down and a grandchild, Joshua Coleman.

Mr. Coleman leaves behind: children, Jim L. Coleman (Tammie), Statesboro, GA, Jesse Coleman, Portal, GA, Amanda "Mandy" Wilson (Timothy), Metter, GA, Melony Davis (Vince), Portal, GA, John J. Nesmith (Terry), SC, former wife, Gay Coleman, grandchildren, Tamara Coleman, James Garett Coleman and a special great grand-daughter, Piper Coleman and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 3, 2024 in the Williams Chapel of Sammons Funeral Home with Pastor Jesse Goodman and Elder Dave Stone officiating.

Mr. Coleman will be laid to rest beside his mother in the Hutcheson Cemetery.

His family will receive friends on Saturday, at the funeral home, from 11:00 o'clock a.m. until the hour of service.

Please share a memory, leave a condolence message and sign the online guest register at www.sammonsfuneralhome.com

SAMMONS FUNERAL HOME, Since 1917: Building Relationships and Honoring Memories while Taking Care of You and Your Loved Ones.  912-529-4411 or 478-455-0671