Louise Coleman

Louise  Coleman was born August 31, 1937 to Josephine Crusoe (Byrd) and William Byrd in Barland, Mississippi.  She passed away on Friday, September 15, 2023.

Louise moved to Chicago, IL at an early age and later relocated to Joliet, where she worked at UniRoyal and Caterpillar plants in Joliet. She later decided to enroll in barber school. She achieved her Barber’s License and worked at Sewards Barbershop, where she later managed for over 50 years. She was fondly called Ms. Lou and Mama Louise by all from the “South End” neighborhood. Young and old, they knew they could count on Ms. Lou, a pillar to her community. The community often came to her as a confidant, for wisdom talks and advice, to borrow a dollar here and there and every Wednesday and Sunday; you could count on a meal at Ms. Lou’s house. She would often share how much she enjoyed being in the shop chatting with “my guys, the fellas, the ladies” aka her customers. When she fell ill, against her every heart’s desire, she was forced to hang up her clippers. Louise put her heart and soul in the community she worked and lived in for over 55 years. She especially took pride in raising her boys, grandchildren and many in her community and watching them grow to be successful. 

She leaves to cherish her legacy; her children, Ronald Byrd (Tandrea), William “Glen” Coleman, Ricky Coleman (Kendra), Darryl Coleman (Yolanda), Raymond Coleman (Melanie), Tanika Sibley (Walter). Her grandchildren, Ronetta Sally (Asarean), Ronisha Byrd, Fantasia Byrd, Brittany Coleman, Talaya Coleman, Kiara Ford, Ricky Coleman Jr., Kiryn Coleman, Kendrick Coleman, Preston Coleman, and Jacob Coleman. Her life long friend, Joyce Allen.  Her very special and committed friend, Barbara Allen Wagner (B.A). Her near and dear extended daughters, Carita Hoyle and Latesha Fox and honorary son #6, Marion Bell and a host of great-grandchildren, cousins and friends.  

She is preceded in death by her father, William Byrd and her mother, Josephine Crusoe. 

Special Thanks to her caregivers, Kierra (Ke Ke) Jones, Felinda Holmes, Carita Hoyle, Latesha Fox, Heather Chaney for the comfort equipment and many family members and friends that helped with her care.

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