Thelma M. Coleman

Albany-

"Circumstances don't make who you are. They reveal who you are." If you wonder about the style of the following words, it is just me being me. Tootsie, pay attention!

I entered life on August 2, 1936. That's 84 years if you're trying to do the math. They said a stork brought me and one could have. I was extremely tiny. I know it's hard to believe! I was the third child of Oscar, a big 6"4 truck driver and Carol A, the only Negro music teacher in the little town of Scranton. She also played for the only Negro Baptist Church a total of 77 years. My two siblings DuBois and Charles were disappointed because they wanted another boy. We lived with my maternal grandmother. Life was the same as most children except we were in church everyday but Tuesday and then I had to go to Prayer Band.

I graduated from high school in 1954, traveled to Cheney University, thinking I had a scholarship. I didn't. Heartbroken I returned but had a big break and got a job because I knew shorthand.
In 1957, my friend and I decided to go on a vacation. We journeyed to New York (big time), Albany, New York where my uncle lived on St. Joseph's Terrace. My friend returned and I decided to stay. I stayed at the YWCA and paid $7.00 rent a week for a room. My first church was on State Street. I went with the white girls. It was nice and we got out quick! I found a few "colored" girls and they took me to Walls Temple. We went every week. Rev. Stroud and his wife fed us home cooked meals and we were surely glad to have them.

Later, I found a Baptist Church called Mt. Calvary. I followed the crowd and went to Union Baptist Church. They hired me and I stayed 25 years. I served God at Metropolitan Baptist for 15 years, at Israel 13 years as Director of Music, 1 year at Parsons Memorial, 2 years at Antioch, at Mt. Calvary for 6 months, 10 years at Sojourner Truth and 2 years at Walls Temple.
I always enjoyed working with young people. I formed the first liturgical dance group in the Tri-City Black Churches. People danced but not in groups. I brought or produced the first Cantata in the Black Church Community. A cantata tells a story. There are characters but no speaking or preaching.

I was blessed to become a mother of a beautiful daughter, Tara Maeko, who later blessed me with the only grandchildren in the world, Kyrie and Kynadi. God then answered my prayers to see that precious, precious baby boy, Ezra, my great-grandson…..that boy is going to be important! My daughter and I were blessed to have Matthew Johnson in our lives. He was a great support, excellent father and perfect "Grandad".

Waiting for me are 2 sons who I didn't get to raise, Mom, Daddy, Grandma Lucy, 2 brothers, a niece, a nephew, two sisters in law and Matt. Still loving me is the best daughter in the world, Tara Maeko, Son-in law Bobby, Shiloh, my favorite dog.

In this world, I'm sure I'll be missed by Maeko, my daughter, son in law Bobby, Kyrie, Kynadi, Tracy, Andrea, Barbara and Cynthia.
Ok, you can now swallow. Some of you became extra special to me, Natasha, my church adopted daughter. Others were Norma, Janiah, Celeste, my buddy, Gerri, John Ray, Art, Mary Jackson, Warren, Galen, Rev. Williams, Rev. Brown, Deacon Thorpe, Deacon Sharpe, Cliff, George, Dante, Marcel, the other guitar man and especially DJ, Linda and Bert were kind. The "kids" from Union and Natasha B.
I said this would be different Rev. Gomes and of course, my kind concerned sons Deacon Isaac Cancer and Pastor Damone Johnson. It's been----Oh my goodness 63 years in New York State!

Well, PEACE----Love you. Later!!!!
They might even let me give a cantata with the real characters--Wow!!!

Calling hours will be held Friday August 21 at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd Colonie, NY from 11am -1pm, with a service at 1pm.
Social distancing practices will be in effect and masks are required in the building.

If you are unable to join us for the service at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, you are welcome to meet at 2:30pm at Graceland Cemetery, 680 Delaware Avenue, Albany for a graveside service.