Robert Dale Coleman, 85, died Monday, May 13, 2024 at his home after a fast, but hard-fought battle against cancer. He was a native of the Flat Rock community in Conecuh County and resided in Bay Minette.

 

Robert was born July 19, 1938 to Willie Lee and Alice Phronie Peacock Coleman of Flat Rock. He was the third of six children. Robert graduated from Evergreen High School in 1956. He was later drafted in the U.S. Army in November 1961, serving as a cook in Honolulu, Hawai'i. He returned home November 21, 1963.

 

He was set up on a blind date with the love of his life, Ellen Rexine "Mickie" Robbins, whom he would marry on February 12, 1966. They later made their home together in Bay Minette where they raised two children. 

 

Robert worked as a civil engineer with the State Highway Department for more than 30 years, also logging three years with Baldwin County Public Works. Not one to rest easily, he drove a charter bus as his "retirement job" for McIntosh Charters and later Spanish Fort Charters, finally retiring for good in 2005. 

 

He was an avid sports fan, especially baseball, football and NASCAR, and loved to listen to classic country and bluegrass music. He enjoyed regaling people with stories of his childhood in Conecuh County, cracking jokes and sharing general knowledge with everyone he met. He will be sorely missed by friends and family.

 

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Willie and Phronie Coleman, and his brothers, Russell Coleman and Jacob Coleman. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ellen Rexine "Mickie" Coleman, his son, Kenneth Coleman, his daughter, Robyn Coleman Sadler, all of Bay Minette, his granddaughter Chaia Sadler of Palm Bay, Florida, his sister Vernell (James Clinton "J.C.") Padgett of Morris, Alabama, his brother Joseph Lyvone (Santa) Coleman of Atlanta, his brother Terry (Deborah) Coleman of Evergreen, and many nieces and nephews. 

 

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18 at Cope-Keahey Funeral Home in Evergreen with Tyre Bowen officiating. Visitation will be held at Noon. Burial will follow at Flat Rock Cemetery.

 

The Coleman family wishes to thank Dr. Jamal Uddin of Bay Minette, the staff of Amedisys Home Health and Lauren Henderson of Amedisys Hospice, along with Andy Coleman and Terry Coleman for their tireless assistance during this difficult time.