Starkville considers legislation allowing dogs on restaurant patios
Sammy Coleman was laid to rest Wednesday morning following a graveside service at the Morgan Chapel Cemetery in Morgantown.
Coleman died at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson Saturday as a result of injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident on Sept. 22. He was 65.
Coleman was a native of Starkville and an avid motorcyclist. He worked as a tow truck driver for Cannon Ford, and among those in the procession were several wreckers from across the area. Coleman also loved Dogs may soon be officially allowed on restaurant patios in Starkville depending his dogs Bay, Colonel and Barklee.
Friends and family shared their memories of Coleman.
Bubba Willard met Coleman around 2000 while serving as a Starkville Police officer. He said Coleman would often respond when a wrecker was needed.
“He was a good fella, kind, very on how the upcoming legislative session goes.
At its meeting Tuesday, the Starkville Board of Aldermen approved a resolution asking the Mississippi Legislature to respectful to people,” Willard said. “He liked helping people when he could, and we rode motorcycles together a good bit.”
Willard said he was at a loss for words over Coleman's death, and that many people would miss Coleman. He also remembered Coleman being part of the “Front Table Group” at the Starkville Café.
“Everybody liked Sammy,” Willard said.
Sturgis Mayor Billy Blankenship was also a close friend. Like Willard, he remembered Coleman for his kindness and helpfulness. pass a local and private measure authorizing restaurants to allow dogs on their patios if they desire to do so. The measure passed 4-2 with Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Alderman Roy A'. Perkins and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn against. Ward 5 Alderman Hamp Beatty was absent from the meeting.