Deacon Annie Marie Coleman

“Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.  

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.  

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.” Excerpt from Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Today we celebrate the life of our beloved ANNIE MARIE COLEMAN; A Phenomenal Woman. Annie, the fourth child of five children was born to the late Stella and Hayward Coleman on June 19, 1958, in Hallandale, Florida. Annie was preceded in death by both her parents and two beloved brothers; Hayward Coleman Jr II (“Jr the Second”) and Morrow Monroe Coleman.

Annie, a life-long educator and learner of many things and to many people graduated from South Broward High School in 1976. She attended Florida A&M University and would then transfer to Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Annie a helper to many put God’s hands to work at the Broward Addiction Recovery Center (BARC) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where she touched the lives of people she served. While working at BARC was rewarding, Annie always found herself wanting to do more and know more. The mentorship of Guy Wheeler in her earlier years became instrumental in Annie developing into the leader that many of us know today.

Annie, the epitome of educational fulfillment was introduced to the National Urban Fellows Program, where she received her Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College, New York. She then moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1995 and worked for the office of Mayor Michael R. White and the Cleveland Water Department. Annie was never done improving herself and often times would say to those she helped, “What you need to do is….” This was a conversation she often had with her family, friends and students. It was not enough for Annie to teach us and “Tell it like it is” she set out to become an educator to children and earned another Master’s degree! This time in Education and Organizational Leadership from Cleveland State University. Annie was a special education teacher for nearly 20 years and if anyone knows the importance of her role, you can imagine Annie’s caring footprint on the lives of thousands of students with a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. She often shared many stories with her sister Bettye about places she taught including John Marshall, Martin Luther King, Harry E. Davis and Ginn Academy. 

 In the midst of Annie being her best at anything and everything she undertook, her greatest joy and accomplishment was becoming a mother.  She gave birth to her only child Amber in 1985. To many people, Annie described Amber as “God’s Gift to the World.”  Amber is a walking reflection of Annie’s grace. Annie was talented in many areas including dancing, being a great listener, and a cheerleader to others’ success; In the midst of her being a Phenomenal Woman (her favorite poem), traveling, cruising and shopping were among Annie’s favorite things to do. Annie raved about her time in Abu Dhabi, Beijing, the Swiss Alps and a myriad of other places that she visited. 

Most of all, her favorite adventure was being a beaming “Grandma Annie” to “her boys, her heartbeats” Jordan and Isaac.

Annie was a loyal and faithful member of the Word Church. She loved her pastor, Dr. R.A. Vernon, First Lady Victory and her laborers in Christ. Her dedication to the church elevated her to the office of Deacon. Deacon Annie served with vigor until her passing.

On Monday April 15th in the presence of her daughter, Annie went home to rejoice with our Heavenly Father. Amber, through loving tears, a meek and warm spirit and a slight crack in her voice said, “I can’t believe we are planning services for my mom, but I know she is free and in peace.” Annie was the best of everything she was…. The best mother, the best grandmother, the best grand-partner to The Blacks, the best friend, the best advocate….a powerful, positive presence that shall never be forgotten.

Resting in the blessed assurance of God’s divine grace and remaining to carry out a legacy of her love are; her beloved daughter and son Amber and Joseph Black, two grandchildren; Jordan and Isaac Black, her two siblings, her oldest sister Bettye Coleman Johnson, her younger brother Joe Nathan Coleman, her nieces and nephews Shantel, Todd, Dannon, Hayward, Pierre, Sasha, and great nieces, Tia and Jada and a host of more family, friends, students, coworkers and her church community.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon Annie Marie Coleman, please visit our floral store.