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.