BARBARA AMZIE COLEMAN (AGE 79) OF WALDORF, MARYLAND.

Barbara Amzie Coleman peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home on June 28, 2021.

She was born to the late Jonah D. and Clara B. Copeland (Lee) on February 20,1942 and raised in South Toms River, NJ, where she received her education in the Berkeley Township School System. Barbara accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age and devoted her gifting in the arts to God, the community, and her family.

During her high school years at Central Regional High School, she was the Sr. High Chorus Accompanist, member of the Senior Drama Club, Glee Club, and Girls Leaders Club, and co-captain of the twirling squad. Most of all, she loved to play the piano and sing for the Lord.

In 1960, Barbara joined the ranks of Howard University's freshman class as a music education major. After a fulfilling educational and cultural experience, Barbara received a bachelor's degree from the College of Fine Arts in 1964 and began her 32-year career as an educator in New Jersey and Connecticut. During her career, she also earned a graduate certification in teaching from University of Connecticut.

In 1965, she was united in holy matrimony to Army Sergeant, Billy Coleman. To this union, five beautiful daughters were born – Stephanie, Carole, Stacy, Starlet, and Billie-Jo – all of whom she nurtured, groomed, and made sure received their college degrees, which she called "your fishing pole." She also served as their best example of what it means to honor and serve God, love and give selflessly, be compassionate to others, persevere with strength, dignity and grace, give your all for the greater good, and lead a lifestyle of worship. Her home was a warm, welcoming haven to family, friends, and children.

While teaching academic and music classes in the Raritan Township, New Jersey and Norwich, Connecticut public school systems from 1964 to 1996, Barbara touched the lives of many students and parents by providing encouraging guidance, being a strong voice for social justice, and instilling the sense of pride they all deserved. In 1985, she founded The Ebony Association of Norwich Educators & Citizens, an organization that annually honored minority Norwich students with a banquet and scholarship awards for graduating or continuing to attend college.

Barbara was a member, and the pianist and choir director at Calvary Baptist Church in Willimantic, CT for more than 25 years. Devoted to sharing her musical and vocal gifts to worship the Lord, she directed the choirs and provided voice coaching, leading them to honor God with their best praise.

Singing and playing the piano to worship God was always her true love, along with her love for her family, her love for helping anyone in need, her love for education, and her love for all children, whom she called "our finest and most precious resources."

Barbara was preceded in death by Billy Coleman, her parents, her step father Samuel Lee, her brothers Jonah Copeland, Jr., Arthur Copeland and Barry Copeland, and sister Grace Fennell.

Barbara leaves to cherish her memory five daughters – Stephanie (Carl) Johnson of Waldorf, MD, Carole (Marcel) Coleman-Florestal of Briarcliff Manor, NY, Stacy Coleman of Atlanta, GA, Starlet (Jamarr) Johnson of LaPlata, MD, and Billie-Jo (Ezekiel) Fletcher of Louisville, KY; her grandchildren – Cameron Coleman, Courtney, Sydney and Carl Johnson III, Ryan, Caleb and Sarah Benton, and Emari Fletcher; her great grandson Knowledge Thomas; her brother Frank (Barbara) Copeland of Littleton, NC; her sister-in-law Soundra Copeland of Lady Lake, FL; and a host of relatives and friends to cherish her memories.

You may visit with the family on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at South Potomac Church, 4915 Crain Highway, White Plains, MD 20695. The home going celebration will begin at 11:00 am. The interment will follow at Heritage Memorial Cemetery in Waldorf, MD.