Elsie Mae (McDuffie) Coleman

 Mrs. Elsie Mae McDuffie Coleman age 96 of Red Springs, North Carolina was born on January 26, 1926 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to the late Reverend Dallas and the late Mrs. Mary B. McDuffie. She departed this life into eternity on Friday, November 18, 2022, at UNC Health Southeastern Hospital, Lumberton, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter A. Coleman, Jr., her son Michael A. Coleman, Sr., and four brothers and one sister.

In her youth she joined Mars Hill Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Mrs. Coleman graduated from Atkins High School in 1943 as the class valedictorian. She then enrolled at Winston-Salem Teachers College, from which she earned her degree in 1947.

She was united in holy matrimony to the late Walter A. Coleman, Jr., on September 30, 1950. After getting married, she joined St. Mark Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. From this union, four children were born: Michael, Belinda, Broderick, and Lisa.

The Coleman family relocated to Red Springs, North Carolina in 1956 and became active members of Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.  Mrs. Coleman was involved in and led many organizations within the church until her health began to decline.

In 1957, Mrs. Coleman established the first and only black kindergarten in Red Springs. She was later employed by the Hoke County School System where she retired after 28 years.  For her many years of service Mrs. Coleman was endowed the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Jones Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories: her children, Belinda Coleman, of Red Springs, North Carolina; Broderick Coleman (Angela), of Randleman, North Carolina; and Lisa Coleman Phillips, of Greensboro, North Carolina; two devoted god-daughters, Ellen Brown and Callie Smith; nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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