Marie, Edith and William Ware Coleman were the children of William Lee and Mary Ware Coleman of Johnston, S.C. The sisters attended Greenville Female College; Marie graduated with a B.A. in 1899 and a Special degree in Art in 1902; Edith graduated with a Bachelor of Letters in 1909. William graduated from Furman University in 1901.

Marie died of tuberculosis on July 29, 1907. William died October 21, 1908. Edith married Bartow M. Walsh. She died June 19, 1959.