Lawrence W. "Peaches" Coleman, III

Mr. Lawrence “Peaches” William Coleman, III, and better known as a Golf Coach Legend of Raleigh, NC passed away June 3, 2021 at the age of 75. His Funeral Service is scheduled for Tuesday June 8, 2021 at 1:00 PM at St. Augustine's University Chapel on the University Campus. The The viewing will precede the service beginning at 12 PM. Public viewing from 2:00 - 8:00 PM Monday June 7, 2021 at Haywood Funeral Home.

Lawrence died peacefully surrounded by his family at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. Lawrence was born in Fort Valley, Georgia on May 22, 1946, to father Lawrence Coleman Jr. and mother Dorothy Coleman. He was the youngest of two children. He grew up in Fort Valley, Georgia. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Vietnam War from December 1967 to December 1968. He was stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana until 1970. He matriculated at Saint Augustine College in Raleigh, North Carolina, and graduated in the class of 1971 earning a BA in history. There he met the love of his life, Darlene. The two were married on November 19, 1967. To this union, they were blessed with two daughters Kimberly and Stephanie.

One year after graduating Lawrence became the golf coach for in alma mater in 1972. He led the program to six HBCU national championships (1990-1994) including five Division II crowns and seven CIAA titles. The Falcons won the HBCU overall title in 1993, which drew widespread attention for what resulted afterward. President Bill Clinton invited Coach Lawrence and his Falcons to the White House for their accomplishment at the PGA National Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, which Lawrence helped start. This was the first time an HBCU receive an invitation from the white house. Saint Augustine's, an NCAA Division II school edged Division I and defending champion Jackson State by one stroke to earn the White House invite. Lawrence coached numerous CIAA individual champions, including Chris Brown, who was considered the nation's best HBCU golfer during the early 1990s. Lawrence also won many CIAA coach-of-the-year awards. The Falcons coach retired in 2009 after 37 years at the helm. Some of his fondest memories as a coach were when the team won their first CIAA Golf Championship for the school in 1974. The next big moment was when the team beat a Division I school (Jackson State) by one stroke. One of his proudest moments include having both his daughters graduate from his alma mater, Saint Augustine College. Recently this year, Lawrence was featured on the Saint Augustine University Athletic Website during Black History Month. 

All who knew and loved him can agree that he would feed you if you were hungry. If you were not hungry when you came to visit, you would leave with something to eat for later. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Dorothy Coleman and sister, Arah Moore. 

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 53 years Darlene Andrews Coleman of the home; daughters Kimberly Anne Colman and Stephanie Louise Coleman, both of Raleigh, North Carolina: Four grandchildren; Jaalil (Brittany) Hart of Charlotte, North Carolina, Dina Hart, Amber Coleman, and Gerald Coleman; all of Raleigh, North Carolina. One great-grand son; Master Jayce Rich Bailey; One aunt; Blanche Williams of Oxon Hill, Maryland, and a host of other relatives and friends. Special thanks to his nephew Jason (Jenelle) Preston of Wake Forest, North Carolina for stepping in when needed.  

***Please Note:  We are requesting that all in attendance wear a face covering or mask for the viewing and service.  Please understand that there is limited seating in the Chapel per the State guidelines for indoor services due to the Covid-19 Pandemic! … Thank you for understanding.

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