Althea Salome Harris Coleman

Celebrating the Life Of

Althea Salome Harris Coleman

January 16, 1920 – November 1, 2015 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Corinthians 5:1

Saturday, November 7, 2015 Visitation - 9:00 a.m.

Service – 10:00 a.m.

Metropolitan Baptist Church 943 N. Tonti Street | New Orleans, LA Pastor Rufus Bonds, M.Th., D.D., Officiating

Obituary Althea Salome Harris was born on January 16, 1920 at Bayou Goula, La. to Henrietta Golden and Franklin Harris. She was the oldest of three children.

Althea was six years old when her mother passed away, and her aunt Everlena Golden Boyd became her “Mama Lena” in New Orleans, Louisiana. She graduated from Gilbert Academy and later received a Nurse’s Aide certification from the National Career Education Accrediting Association.

As a teenager, Althea accepted Christ and was baptized by Rev. Blaine F. Chester at St. Mark Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and was an active member of the Sunday School.

She was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, John Emanuel Coleman, on February 11, 1940 at St. Mark Baptist Church by Rev. Chester. To this union were born three children: John Jr., Atwood Robert, and Althea Patricia (“Pat”) Coleman.

Her Christian service continued at Fairview Baptist Church, Love & Peace Baptist Church, and (after Hurricane Katrina) Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Upon returning to New Orleans, she united with Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Before her health began to fail, Althea had been active in Prince Hall Masonic affiliations for many years, having served as Past Matron of Dorcas Chapter #53 Order of Eastern Star, Charter Member of Susie Murphy Court #34 Order of Cyrene, Gethsemane Court #18 Heroines of Jericho, and New Orleans Assembly #1 Order of the Golden Circle. She was also a very talented seamstress, and her favorite pastime was dressmaking for family and friends.

At the age of 95, Althea departed this life Sunday, November 1, 2015 just before 2:00 a.m. She is preceded in death by her husband; her brother and sister, Robert Henry Chase and Evelyn Lillian Chase Weaver; and cousins who were like sisters to her, Ernestine B. Sharrett, Theresa B. Cannon and Ethel B. Bush.

Cherishing her wonderful memory are her 3 children: John, Jr., Atwood Robert and Althea Patricia Coleman; 3 grandchildren, Atwood Robert, Jr., Barron Thomas and Vanessa Marie Mose-Coleman; 8 great-grandchildren, Savannah, Alysoune, Sebastian, Denise, Kimberly and Barron Coleman, Jr., Timothy and Tyla Mose; a loving daughter-in-law Bernice Sorina Coleman; 2 granddaughters-in-law, Kathleen Bartleson Coleman and Janett Benavides Coleman; sister-in-law Mable Jackson Coleman; nieces, nephews, God-children, extended family and friends.

Order Of Service Family Processional Congregational Hymn

“Leaning On The Everlasting Arms”

Scripture Reading Old Testament New Testament

Psalm 90: 1-12 St. John 14: 1-6

Hymn

“Amazing Grace”

Prayer Prayer Chant

“Near The Cross”

Hymn

“Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand”

Condolence Solo

Sis. Evleana Bonds Sis. Rosie Guillemet

“I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy”

Obituary & Acknowledgments

Sis. Evelyn Compton

Hymn

“Blessed Assurance”

Eulogy

Pastor Rufus Bonds

Hymn

“When We All Get To Heaven” Acknowledgment of Ministers A Parting View | “I’ll Fly Away” Benediction Recessional

Interment Mt. Olivet Mausoleum 4000 Norman Mayer Ave. New Orleans, LA 70122

Repast Metropolitan B. C. Dining Hall 943 N. Tonti St. New Orleans, LA

Active Pallbearers Atwood R. Coleman, Jr. Barron T. Coleman Carroll Barriere Robert B. Cannon Adolph Sorina, Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers Barron T. Coleman, Jr. Bernell Caliste

Sebastian Coleman Dwayne B. Lewis

Acknowledgements The family acknowledges, with thanks, all acts of kindness and expressions of love during the declining years and passing of our beloved Althea Coleman. We appreciate your prayers and words of encouragement. Special thanks to Kenneth Dunkley, Pastor Bruce Davenport, the Metropolitan Baptist Church Family and the staff of Notre Dame Hospice.

Funeral Arrangements Entrusted To D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA 70125 Program Design: Our Celebrations of Life (504) 453-2186