Melvin B. (Mel) Coalson, Sr.

COALSON – Melvin B. Coalson, Sr., of Alpharetta, GA passed away at home on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. Mr. Coalson was employed by the Norfolk Southern Corporation and one of its predecessor companies, the Southern Railway System for 46 years. He worked in Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, and Jacksonville prior to returning to Atlanta as the Atlanta District Sales Manager. He advanced to Southeastern Regional Sales Manager in 1979, retiring in 1987 after 46 years of service. Mr. Coalson was a graduate of Milton High School in Alpharetta, and the Draughan School of Commerce in Atlanta. He earned his LLB Degree from the Atlanta Law School. He served honorably in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Active in civic and church life in Alpharetta, Mr. Coalson served on the Alpharetta City Council for three terms in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. During his last term (1964-65) as Chairman of the Street Department, he laid the ground work and arranged with Fulton County and the State Highway Department to widen Highway 19 through Alpharetta to four lanes with sidewalks. He was a Founder, Charter and Life member of American Legion Post 201, where he served as Post Commander and remained active for 62 years. He was instrumental in organizing “The Old Soldier’s Day Parade” in Alpharetta, serving as the parade’s first Chairman. Over the years, he was a member of Alpharetta Baptist Church, Crabapple First Baptist Church, Roswell First Baptist Church, the American Legion, the Alpharetta Lions Club, and the Alpharetta Historical Society. He was also active in real estate with his brother, Emmett Coalson, Jr. Mr. Coalson is survived by his present wife, Beverly Pittman Coalson; two sons, Melvin B. Coalson, Jr., of Placentia, CA and Martin H. Coalson of Omaha, NE; four grandchildren, Kimberly, Matthew, Jenna and Michael; sister, Alice Coalson Williams of Roswell, GA; brother, Emmett W. Coalson, Jr., of Alpharetta. His former wife, Mary Bell Coalson, preceded him in passing away in 1997. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, managed by the Alpharetta American Legion Auxiliary , 201 Wills Road, Alpharetta, GA, 30004. The Funeral service will be on Friday, May 8, 2009 in the funeral home chapel. Rev. Carl Jameson will officiate. Interment will follow in Alpharetta Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory, Roswell/Alpharetta, 770/645-1414.

Melvin B. (Mel) Coalson, Sr.

September 6, 1923 - May 6, 2009