Hazel Coleman

Hazel Marie (Sparks) Coleman, 82, died January 9, 2024 at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

Hazel, also known as Maz by her family and many of her friends was born in Emporia, Kansas, the second child and first daughter to Margaret and Roy Sparks. Hazel grew up in the Emporia area and graduated from Emporia High School. Wishing to pursue college and a career so she could get her own apartment, she attended Friends Bible College, now Barclay College in Haviland, Kansas. A young man visiting from Friends University in Wichita introduced himself there. That young man was Ernest Jesse Coleman Jr. A whirlwind romance ensued: their first date was May 1, 1960, and by August 16, 1960, they were married.

Hazel and Ernie were both from large families, and after having two children of their own, they decided to open their home to foster children. The first two boys remained their permanent sons. After Ernie's career led them to several Kansas towns, they had their youngest child and settled in Lawrence, Kansas in 1971. In addition to managing a household of up to 6 (six) children, Hazel also had several part-time jobs around Lawrence. Her final position was as a paraeducator at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School for 15 years before she retired in 2009.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie, her parents, Margaret and Roy Sparks, and three brothers, Roy Lee, Tom, and John Sparks. She is survived by her children, Candi Wilbur (Patrick), Craig Coleman (Amy) and Chris Self (Keith) all of Lawrence, Kansas, Dennis Hanlon (Barb) Fairview, Oklahoma and Ed Hamilton (Kathy) Iola, Kansas; one sister, Mary Beth Winters (Bob), Salina, Kansas; one brother, Bob Sparks (Regina), Emporia, Kansas; and her sister-in-law, Marilyn Sparks, Emporia, Kansas.

Hazel was a loving grandmother to her grandchildren, always available for support and advice and teaching many of them how to cook: Jordan and Jessica Coleman, Jesse and Melia Self, and step granddaughter Renee Robinson, Lawrence, Kansas; step grandson, Andre Robinson, Providence, Rhode Island, and Jamie Sherman (James), Woodward, Oklahoma, as well as several other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Hazel was a charming woman of amazing strength, curiosity, and wisdom. No one was a stranger to her for long due to her calm engaging approach and interest in everything.

Internment will be private with a Celebration of Life to be announced and observed at a later date.

Memories and condolences for the family may be left at rumsey-yost.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions made in Hazel's name to Barclay College by mail to Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana, Lawrence, KS 66044.