- Collection:
- Atlanta Funeral Programs Collection
- Title:
- Celebration of Life and Legacy for Mr. George Mason Coleman, March 5, 1922, October 21, 2008, Monday, October 27, 2008, 11:00 A.M., Saint Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 551 Harwell Road, Northwest, Atlanta, Georgia, 30318, The Reverend Edward Devany, C.P., Pastor, The Reverend Augustine Wafula, Celebrant, The Reverend Mr. Hilliard M. Lee, Jr., The Reverend Mr George Smith, The Reverend Mr. Joseph B. Goolsby
- Date of Original:
- 2008-10-27
- Subject:
- African American men--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
African Americans--Funeral customs and rites--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Funeral rites and ceremonies--Georgia--Atlanta---History--20th century
Funeral service--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
Mourning customs--Georgia--Atlanta--History--20th century
African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta--Genealogy - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- church records
programs (documents)
records (documents) - Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- Funeral program for George Mason Coleman. Birth date: March 5, 1922. Death date: October 21, 2008. Funeral date: October 27, 2008. Church: Saint Paul of the Cross Catholic Church (Atlanta, Ga.). The Atlanta Funeral Programs Collection is a project of the Digital Library of Georgia in association with the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History as part of Georgia HomePLACE. The project is supported with federal LSTA funds administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
- Local Identifier:
- Folder number: 240
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:aarl_afpc_colemangeorgemason20081027
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:aarl_afpc_colemangeorgemason20081027
- Language:
- eng
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Holding Institution:
- Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
- Rights:
-
Celebratiot1 of Life at1d Legacy
for Mr. &eorge Maso" Colet~ta"
March 5, 191.1.- October 1.1, 1.008
Monday, October 1.7, 1.008 11:00 A.M.
Saittt Paul of the Cross Catholic Church
551 Harwell Road, Nor-thwest Atlattta, &eorgia, SOS 18
fhe Revere"d Edward Peva"y, C.P., Pastor fhe Revere"d Augusti"e Wafula, Celebram
fhe Revere"d Mr. Hilliard M. Lee, Jr. fhe Revere"d Mr. &eorge Stttith
fhe Revere"d Mr. Joseph J. Goolsby
Jreak, Jreak, Jreak
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Break, break, break, On thy cold gray stones, 0 Sea! And I would that my tongue could utter The thoughts that arise in me.
0, well for the fisherman's boy, That he s_houts with his sister at play! 0, well for the sailor lad, That he sings in his boat on the bay!
And the stately ships go on To their haven under the hill; But 0 for the touch of a vanished hand, And the sound of a voice that is still!
Break, break, break, At the foot of thy crags, 0 Sea! But the tender grace of a day that is dead Wi II never come back to me.
Obituary
George Mason Coleman was a poet, painter, and award
winning journalist. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High
School before attending college at Hampton University in Virginia.
During his sophomore year he joined the army and served in World
War II transporting bombs and ammunition across Europe and North
Africa.
After the war he went to Lincoln University in Jefferson City,
Missouri where he met Norma Lee Walker at a poetry reading. They
were married after graduation in 1950. He then returned to Atlanta
and joined the staff of the Atlanta Daily World as a court reporter at
the time when there were only 9 black policemen in the city.
I
While working at the newspaper he continued his love of
t
I
writing poetry combining it with a talent for sketching and painting.
Many of his poems were published in the Atlanta Daily World as well
as Crisis Magazine. In 1961 after many years of work on sketches to
accompany each verse, his epic poem, "The Black Swan," was
exhibited at Morris Brown College
When George Coleman became the city editor of the Daily
World he mentored young journalists and wrote editorials about the
civil rights movement in the south. He won many awards and
became the first black member of the Georgia chapter of Sigma
Delta Chi, the national journalistic fraternity. He made sure other
members of color followed in his footsteps.
George Coleman joined the Cancer Society because he
understood that most people of color were not aware of how to deal
with the disease and wanted to help publicize the need for
screenings and early detection in the black community.
Even in retirement his knowledge of the history of Atlanta and
the civil rights movement made him a much desired speaker at the
local universities. The Atlanta Public library on Black History did two
video interviews with him concerning the movement and his work.
In 2002 Mr. Coleman was diagnosed with cancer of the
tonsils and stepped out of public life. After chemotherapy and
radiation treatment he still found the time and strength to talk with
anyone who came to visit him.
George Coleman is survived by his wife of 58 years, Norma
Walker Coleman, his four children Minnette Coleman (Robert
Roach), Jimmie Barnett (Michael Barnett), Bernadette Lambert
(Michael Lambert), George Mason Coleman, Jr. (Melissa Coleman),
nieces Corrie Wingfield and Alta Starr, eight grandchildren, one
great grandchild and two great nieces.
r
Introductory Rites Entrance Procession
Lead Me/ Guide Me (LMGM #168)
Greeting of Body Sprinkling of Holy Water Placing of Pall
Jimmie Barnett, Minnette Coleman Michael Barnett, Robert Roach Placing of Christian Symbols Opening Prayer
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading (Wisdom, 3:1-6, 9)
Melissa Coleman Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 27) Cantor
Response: "The Lord is my light and my salvation."
Second Reading (1 John 3:1-2) Lamar and Alai na Barnett
Gospel Acclamation (Repeat after Cantor) Gospel (Matthew 11:25-30)
The Reverend Mr. Hilliard M. Lee, Jr.
Please Stand
Homily
The Reverend Mr. Hilliard M. Lee, Jr.
General Intercessions:
1
Response: "Lord, Hear Our Prayer"
1:
11
Liturgy of the Eucharist Preparation of the Altar (Brahms Intermezzo in A}
Norman Barnett Presentation of Gifts
Michael and Bernadette Lambert Lord's Prayer Communion
Communion Song
Let Us Break Bread Together ~MGM #135)
Prayer after Communion Tributes
Robert Norwood II Robert Pittman Melvin Stephens George M. Coleman, Jr.
Final Commendations
Invitation to Prayer
Song of Farewell , His Eye Is On the Sparrow
Soloist: Michelle Todd Williams Prayer of Commendation Procession to Place of Committal
Soon And Very Soon ~MGM #4)
Pall Bearers
Lamar Barnett
Norman Barnett
George M. Coleman, III
Willie Haley
Joshua Townsley
Richard Townsley, Jr.
Interment
Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 2275 Simpson Road, Northwest
Atlanta, Georgia
The Little Red Wagon By Jimmie Coleman Barnett
As a little girl, I remember when We didn't have much money to spend.
We were rich with a love more precious than gold We never hungry, dirty or cold.
Sometimes Mom took us shopping and Dad would stay home To watch over the house or answer the phone.
As we were leaving we would always say "Dad, what can we bring you from town today?"
Although he never wanted anything he would laugh and tease, "Just bring me a little red wagon, please!"
When he humorously asked for the toy from the store We all knew that my dad wanted nothing more
Than freedom, respect, happiness and love From his family a~d friends and God Almighty above.
Well, Dad, here's your wagon and though empty it seems. It's filled with memories of your hopes and dreams.
And the love that you showed to your children and wife And the unselfish way you gave through your life.
How our world would change if people could see That the things that count most in our lives are free
And when asked what we wanted we could unselfishly say "Just bring me a little red wagon today."
.
.
Acknowledgements
The family of Mr. George Mason Coleman expresses
sincere thanks for the genuine gestures of
kindness, love, and support during our bereavement. We are especially grateful to The Reverend Mr. Hilliard Lee, Jr. and Murray Brothers Funeral Home, Inc. May God richly bless each of you.