Barbara Coleman

Barbara Hatler Coleman, 78, passed away Sept. 27, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn., after many years of illness.
She is preceded in death by her parents, A.H. "Dock" and Lelah Hatler and the grandmother who helped raise her, Clara Walker.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 57 years Dan B. Coleman and one daughter, Dana, of Nashville.
She was born and married in Crossville, Tenn. She went to Cumberland County High School and graduated in 1955 and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in social work from the University of Tennessee.
Her career included positions in journalism and social work, including 20 years as an oncology social worker. In 2000, she received Baptist Hospital's Caring Hands Award for the "literally hundreds of examples of going the extra mile for cancer patients and their families." She worked at the Helen Ross McNabb Mental Health Center in Knoxville and later headed an East Nashville branch of the Dede Wallace Mental Health Center in Nashville. While she was a student at UT, she worked as a reporter for the Knoxville News-Sentinel. She was active in professional and community organizations, including Guardianship and Trust.
Barbara loved to travel and cherished her many friends and family. She loved her bridge club and the Tennessee Volunteers. She was eternally grateful for the caring medical and personal caregivers who helped her continue to live at home.
Barbara is survived by her husband Dan Coleman and daughter Dana Coleman (Ron Taylor) of Nashville and eight siblings, including Joyce (Benton) Threet, Doris Shanks, Richard Hatler, Dennis (Dorine) Hatler, Jan Hatler, Nancy (Scott) Hoover and Sharon (Gayther) Cook, all of Crossville, and Lynne Hatler (Derek Schaaf) of Clarksville, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to: Komen Central Tennessee, 4009 Hillsboro Pike, Ste. 209, Nashville, TN 37215; Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203; or Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, 313 Great Circle Rd., Nashville, TN 37228.
A celebration of life will be held at West Harpeth Funeral Home on Oct. 20, 2016, from 5 - 7 p.m., with a gathering for family in Crossville on Oct. 22.