Thomas Excell Coleman

Thomas Excell Coleman, 95, of Madison Heights, passed away at his home on January 3, 2026 after a five year diagnosis of lymphoma. Tom was born in Amherst County to the late Wiley Newton Coleman, Sr. and the late Ola Martin Wingfield Coleman.

Tom graduated from Madison Heights High School in 1949. He joined the U. S. Army on February 14, 1952. He served in Germany and was honorably discharged in April 6, 1960. Tom enrolled in Lynchburg College (now University of Lynchburg) upon returning to Amherst County. Tom became employed by F. W. Woolworth in Lynchburg and was transferred as manager to Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 1960; in 1961 he was transferred to Nashville, Tennessee. After eight years in Nashville, Tom returned to Amherst County where he operated Coleman’s Market in Monroe, and Early Bird Market and Triangle Market in Madison Heights, before finally retiring in 1996. Tom was also a long-term member (50 decades) and past President of the Amherst/Monroe Ruritan Club.

Tom was predeceased a year ago by his youngest daughter, Bethany Christine Coleman Doolin. Tom was the last surviving of nine siblings. Those predeceasing him were: James Nelson, Wiley Newton, Jr., Elizabeth Brizendine, Virgil Aneil, Sr., Christine Hutchison, Curtis Boyd, Alfred Bentley, and William Warden.

Tom is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joyce M. Coleman; his children: Karen Coleman King (Michael), Thomas Martin Wingfield Coleman (Patti), and James Warden Coleman (Janet). His grandchildren: Matthew Thomas Harris (Kerri), Aaron Thomas Baxter Coleman, and Katheryn Grace Pernell Hedrick Taylor). His great-grandchildren: Christian Matthew Harris, Tyler Chase Hargis (Hannah), Jaylon Michael King, Beckham Daniel Henry Coleman, Miller Grace Morgan Hedrick, and Kolson Blaize Hargis.

Special thanks are given to the years of care provided by Monelison Family Physicians, Alan B. Pearson Cancer Center in Lynchburg and Stroobants Heart Care Center in Lynchburg. The family is especially grateful to the caring Hospice Team from Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg, and the attentive and compassionate caregivers from Visiting Angels.

Visitation will be held at Tharp Funeral Home in Madison Heights, on January 10, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. The family will then proceed to the Briarwood Cemetery columbarium on Rt. 29 in Amherst County, VA., for an internment service at 3:00 p.m. conducted by Dr. Derek Hamby.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Tom’s favorite charity, the Salvation Army, 2215 Park Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24501.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Madison Heights, is assisting the family.