Ann Estelle Gullett Coleman

“From a tiny spark may burst a mighty flame”

Ann was born in Bradenton, Florida on November 19, 1927, to Benjamin David Gullett, Jr. and Carolyn Barbee Best. Her loving husband of 73 years, Daniel L. Coleman, passed away April 3, 2020.

Ann was truly a member of the Greatest Generation. Not only was she a loving wife and loving mother to six children, but also an accomplished writer, musician, artist and pilot. She leaves behind a wealth of art and poetry to be shared and treasured by future generations.

Ann attended the University of Kentucky, where she met her future husband, and then returned to college at age 58, graduating Suma Cum Laude from Morehead State University with Master Degrees in English and Art.

Ann was also actively involved in the community. She loved Ashland, Kentucky! She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a Gold Circle member of the Paramount Woman’s Association, an original Chairholder of the Paramount Arts Center, President of the King’s Daughters Hospital Auxiliary, and on the Boards of Directors of Hospice, Pathways and CASA.

In her later years she loved travel and babies. She traveled to New York, Arizona and Scotland for operas. She saw NYC from the top of the Twin Towers and later in ruins. She had High Tea in London and Easter Brunch at the Plaza. She cut line at the Louvre in Paris to see the Mona Lisa in person, which was a self-proclaimed great moment of her life. She was most proud of her progeny which could be seen in her eyes when holding her grandbabies and great grandbabies! She loved the tiny babies.

Ann will be remembered for living a long and exuberant life, one full of special moments and unique experiences. She will also be remembered as the matriarch of a large family of people who appreciate the fine life she created for them.

Ann is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 73 years Daniel L. Coleman; her son, Theodore A. Coleman; her grandchildren Richard Coleman, Allison Ange, and Chris Curtis; her mother Carolyn Wallace; her father, Benjamin David Gullett, Jr.; her sister, Barbara Gullett Anderson; and her aunt, Alice B. Perez.

Ann is survived by her children, Barbara C. (Michael) Curtis of Lexington, Kentucky, Daniel W. (Wynee) Coleman of Basalt, Colorado, Nancy C. Compton of Ashland, Kentucky, Lee L. (JoAnn) Coleman of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Christy C. Reaves of Midway, Kentucky; her grandchildren Brooke Carmichael, Kati (Jared) Prickett, Amy (Jerry) Dickerson, Alex Coleman, Bryce Coleman, Brian (Nevada) Ange, Shane Goldsborough, Michelle (Nick) Kilby, Johnathan (Jackie) Coleman, Ben (Allison) Coleman, Andy Coleman, Elizabeth (Dustin) Zwick, Jean Anne Zwick, John Reaves, Kathryn Reaves, Daniel Reaves, and David Reaves; and her brother Benjamin David Gullett, III.

A private family memorial for Ann and her husband, Dan, will be held Saturday, June 13, 2020, in Ashland, Kentucky, by Steen Funeral Home. Due to the current global health crisis, no public ceremony or visitation will be conducted. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in their honor to Community Hospice or the First Presbyterian Stained Glass Preservation Fund.

Thank You Mother

I was a seed she grew

As Mothers do

She gave me things

As Mothers do –

And thus,

She gave me freedom

As all good Mothers do

To seeds they grew.

-Excerpt from: One Hundred Pages from a Student’s Workbook of Poetry by Ann Coleman

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