Martha Jane Gormanous

Haughton, LA - Martha Jane Coleman Gormanous, 75, passed away on July 20, 2024 following a long illness. Martha Jane was born on May 30, 1949, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to James Thomas Coleman, Sr. and Athalie Ward Coleman.

Martha Jane grew up in Benton, Louisiana and was a 1967 graduate of Benton High School. Upon graduation, she continued her studies at Louisiana Tech University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Special Education. In 1973 she began a 37 year career in the Bossier Parish school system. During her career she served in a number of different capacities within the Special Education Department at both the school and parish levels. She spent the final 17 years of her career as the Director of Special Education for the Bossier Parish school system. Martha Jane’s leadership style was strong yet compassionate and created a positive environment of success. Her legacy of touching lives and promoting special education will live on forever.

Martha Jane was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ron Gormanous, and her parents J.T. Coleman, Sr. and Athalie Ward Coleman. Left to cherish the precious memories of Martha Jane are her three daughters, Angela Veatch and husband Clifton of Greenwood, Arkansas, Kimberly Stafford and husband John of Bossier City, Louisiana, and Heather Gormanous and wife Gena of Prairieville, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Peyton Stafford and wife Jali, Abigail Veatch, Coleman Stafford, and Thomas Veatch; brother, James T. Coleman, Jr. and wife Patsy of Haughton, Louisiana; sister-in-law, Jackie Gormanous of Westlake, Louisiana; and nieces and nephews: Grant Coleman, Bill Gormanous and wife Sheryl, Michelle Gormanous, Jennifer White and husband Garland; Scott Gormanous and Melody LaFleur and husband David.

We were blessed to have her as a loving mother and Mimi.

Visitation for friends and family will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton, Louisiana from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana with the Dr. Larry Stafford officiating. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park in Haughton, Louisiana.

Honoring Martha Jane as pallbearers will be Clifton Veatch, John Stafford, Peyton Stafford, Coleman Stafford, Thomas Veatch and Grant Coleman.

Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church of Bossier City, 201 John Wesley Boulevard, Bossier City, Louisiana, 71112.