Former State Representative Kent Coleman passed away quietly at his home Thursday (4/28/2016) morning, surrounded by his family. The Murfreesboro attorney served in House District 49 as a Democrat between 2002 and 2010. A memorial service will be 3:00 o'clock Saturday afternoon at Murfreesboro's First Presbyterian Church at the corner of College and Spring Streets.

He died of issues related to cystic fibrosis, a disease he had fought most of his life. In fact, during his youth, doctors felt Kent would not live beyond his 21st birthday.

Current 49th District State Representative Mike Sparks told WGNS that when he served on the Rutherford County Commission, Representative Coleman invited him to the State Capital (38-sec)...

He and his wife Cecil were active members of Murfreesboro First Presbyterian Church, where Kent served as a ruling elder. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren (see below).

Kent was born on November 3, 1954 in Smryna, Tennessee. He attended Smyrna High School, received his BA in Economics and Business from Vanderbilt University '77, and received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Nashville School of Law '83.

Kent practiced law in Rutherford County for over thirty years and he dedicated his career to serving others. In addition to being a highly respected attorney, Kent served as State Representative for the 103rd, 104th, 105th and 106th General Assemblies. During his eight years in the House of Representatives, he served as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and also served as a member of the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, and Calendar and Rules Committee. Kent served on the Tennessee Judicial Council from 2007-2010 and was currently serving the state of Tennessee as a registry member of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance.

He was a valuable contributor to many civic, professional and charitable organizations.

Coleman served on the board of Middle Tennessee State University Foundation, board of Christy Houston Foundation and he was a past president of United Way of Rutherford and Murfreesboro American Cancer Society.

As part of his career he was instrumental in the development of Rutherford County's business community, such as being a founder and director of First City Bank, board of Calvary Bank and currently serving on the board of Southern Bank of Tennessee. Kent also served as a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Board of Directors for many years, a cause near and dear to both he and Cecil.

Arrangements

Kent is survived by his wife Cecil; two daughters Mary Wallace Broome (Matthew) and Ellie Lovvorn (Jeb); four grandchildren Mary Kingsley, Patrick, Marian, Anne Winston, and his sister Karla Coleman.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earl Rather and Mildred Harris Coleman.

A memorial service will be held at Murfreesboro First Presbyterian Church at 210 North Spring Street at 3:00 o'clock Saturday afternoon, April 30th. Reverend Dr. John A. Hinkle, Jr. and the Reverend James Knox Polk Van Zandt will officiate. Visitation will be from 4pm to 8pm Friday, April 29, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to:

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Tennessee Chapter, 4825 Trousdale Drive, Suite 238, Nashville, Tennessee 37220

First Presbyterian Church of Murfreesboro 210 North Spring Street Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Christy Houston Foundation 1296 Dow Street Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Charity Circle of Murfreesboro P.O Box 11128 Murfreesboro, TN 37129