Eunice Deborah Downs Coleman, 90, of Salem, Va., joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Heaven on Friday, January 13, 2017.

Eunice was a pious and devout Christian lady and the daughter of a charismatic, female preacher in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother. She was an honest and true friend to many. She was an industrious, hardworking woman of many talents and vocations, including private duty nurse, garment-factory worker, and security guard. She never failed to support and provide for her family, a feat of which she was very proud.

She was one of a kind in every possible way. She loved her cats. She survived on a diet of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Lemon-Honey Cough Drops, ice cream sandwiches, and ice water. She always said exactly what she was thinking, speaking and living the Truth. Her love and compassion for her family and friends had no limit. Eunice was one of the most amazing women of God anyone has ever encountered.

She was preceded in death by her one and only husband, James Coleman, Jr., to whom she was irrevocably bound in wedlock for 54 years of loyalty and devotion; by her beloved son, Jerry Roger Coleman; by her vigorous and independent mother, Chloe Bishop; by her mother-in-law, Eliza Burchett Coleman; and by many cherished brothers and sisters.

Surviving her is her loving and doting daughter, Blanche Meryleen Coleman Tickle, who rarely left her side during the final years of her life. Also surviving her are her son-in-law, Noah Miller Tickle, Jr.; her daughter-in-law, Robin Groves Coleman; her cherished grandchildren, Melissa Beth Tickle-Bond, James Morton Coleman, and Shawn Louis Tickle; her prized great-grandchildren, Sylvia Erin Tickle, Anthony Jacob Coleman, Jessica Eris Coleman, and Jocelyn Faith Coleman; the spouses of her grandchildren, Dana Lynn Higginbotham Tickle and Chastity Ann Coleman; the children whom she nurtured and fostered as her own, Silver Persinger and Labor Persinger; and Sylvia’s fiancé, Trevor Lee Rupe, her unofficial great-grandchild.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2017, at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, in the funeral home’s chapel with Reverend Burl Wright officiating. Burial will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.