Nellie Coleman LaBelle

In Branford, Dec. 31, 2000, Nellie L. Coleman LaBelle, of 105 Fairfax St., West Haven wife of the late Melvin Elsy LaBelle. Mother of Barbara Freeman McDonald, Bernice McCollum both of New Haven, Amy Wormley of North Haven, Melvina Miller Ewings of Hamden, Roberta Thomas of South San Francisco, CA, Karen Tavares of Wallingford and Melvin E. LaBelle, Jr. of Bethlehem, NH; sister of Henry Coleman of New Haven and Eugene Coleman of Springfield, MA. Also survived by 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren and a great-great grandchild. Predeceased by a brother Julius Coleman a grandson, Keith Freeman and her foster parents Charles and Gwendolyn Barclay. She was born in Ansonia, June 23, 1925 daughter of the late Julius & Amy Gattison Coleman. Mrs. LaBelle had worked at the Hospital of St. Raphael for 40 years and had been supervisor of central supply for 12 years before retiring in 1992. She was a life member of St. Luke's Church, Board member of the Soup Kitchen, Altar Guild, she held positions of president, vice-president, financial secretary and sunshine member of St. Ann's Guild, organizer of the food pantry, member of Episcopal Church Women, Eureka Chapter #2 OES, PHA, past most ancient matron - Jeroham Court #3, Heroines of Jericho PHA, member of New Haven Assembly #42 Order of Golden Circle, PHA, Arabic Court #95 Daughters of ISIS and Densie McNair - Order of Navae. Funeral service Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001 at St. Luke's Parish Church at 11 a.m. Friends may call at the church Thursday from 10 - 11 a.m. Eastern Star service at 10:15 a.m. Contributions may be made to St. Luke's Endowment Fund, 111 Whalley Ave., New Haven 06511. Arrangements under the direction of BEECHER & BENNETT TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, 410 Campbell Ave., West Haven.