Mariah Geneva Coleman

September 8, 1942 - November 10, 2021

Deacon Maria G Coleman entered into eternal peace on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at John Muir Hospital in Concord after an illness. Maria entered into this life on September 8, 1942, to parents Noah Rivers Smith and Elizabeth Henderson. She lost her mother at a very young age and was then raised with the assistance of her oldest sister, Inell Harris who preceded her in death. Raised in Prospect, TN, she graduated from Bridgforth High School in Pulaski, TN and soon after married her lifelong partner, Herman Coleman. To that union 5 children were born. She relocated to California in 1962 when her husband joined the US Navy. Her young family lived for a few years in Alameda, CA before relocating to Berkeley, CA and then to San Pablo, CA where they purchased their first home. Although she was named Mariah after her paternal grandmother, an error on her birth certificate omitted the ‘h’ at the end of her name and so as she began her new life in California, she became known as Maria. Deacon Coleman was raised as a woman of faith and so finding a church home was a priority. Deacon Coleman and her family joined McGee Avenue Baptist Church in 1966 and she continued to be an active member until her death. She worked in many capacities at the church and supporting the missions of the American Baptist Women’s Ministries. She spent years as a Sunday School teacher, served on the deacon board and most recently was instrumental in organizing food service for the bereaved. Outside of the Church, Deacon Colemans life was dominated by the love of her children and the children of others. In 1969 upon moving to San Pablo, CA where her then 7-year-old son was one of only 5 African American children enrolled at the local public school, she knew it was imperative that she be present on the school campus daily to ensure his safety. Thus, she began her long and storied career as an educator and caregiver for children. She worked for many years in the West County Unified School District as a teacher’s assistant, librarian, and technology services director. During that time, she earned many honors including being elected President of the PTA in 1974. After leaving the school district, Deacon Coleman was eventually able to further her dedication to the care of children. She reclaimed the ‘h’ at the end of her name and opened Mariah’s Daycare in 1996. As an in-home care provider, she cared for dozens of children from infants to young teens. Her devotion to the well-being and adequate care of children often led her to take children in, even when their parents were unable to pay. For her, the joy was in being of service to children and families in need over just making money. Her daycare center operated in Concord, CA from 1996 until the day of her death. For donations: Zelle to [email protected] Cashapp to $colemanliz In remembrance of Mariah Geneva Coleman's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to (designated charity/your favorite charity.) Thank you in advance! https://www.cocokids.org/ https://communityvisionca.org/womens-cancer https://www.diabetes.org/