Obituary for Amy M Coleman
Resilient, supportive, and a confidant, Amy Brown was born on April 1, 1931 in Louisville, Missis-
sippi to farmers Shelly and Susie Brown. Amy was a huge help on the farm by learning to cook at
an early age. Her devoted parents instilled a great work ethic in all of their children. When Amy
lost her mother at ten years of age, she assisted in the rearing of her younger siblings. Shelly
Brown remarried (Ellen) and this blended union raised a total of fifteen children.
Amy accepted The Most High as her Lord and Savior and was willing to share whatever she could
throughout her life. That southern hospitality was woven into every fiber of her being. Due to the
demands of farming, Amy’s formal education was cut short. However, she mastered the skills of
life and had a PhD in recognizing a troubled soul. There was always time to counsel those who
sought her experience and words of wisdom.
Amy had dreams of city life. Her union to O.Z. Coleman (who preceded her in death) afforded her
the opportunity to migrate to Chicago, Illinois. Amy was employed for several years at Adolph
Plating Company and The Salvation Army. Her ability to express her southern charm lead to in-
creased sales at all sites. She loved meeting new people and remained with The Salvation Army
until retirement.
Amy was affectionately known as Granny, she regularly hosted Sunday dinners which became an
event because of her excellent cooking skills. She would often comment regarding weight gain,
although she made it hard to resist her amazing food and baked goods.
Amy leaves to cherish her memories: Beloved daughters, Linda Jean Robinson, Kenoria Stevens,
Bonita Coleman-Brown (Jerome) who preceded her in death and Claretha Washington; and her
loving sons, Lindsey Coleman (Sarah), Ellis Coleman, Terry Coleman, Emmanuel Coleman, and
Nathaniel Coleman. The following devoted sisters preceded her in death; Evanderline Brown, Cleo-
patra Triplett, Alice Stephens, Katherine Miller, Evalena Brown and Mary Dale Brown. Her sister
Effie Lee Coleman continues to reside in Louisville, Mississippi. The following loyal brothers also
preceded her in death; Shelly Brown, Jr., Willie Russell Brown, Edgar Lee Brown, Coya Brown,
JoeNathan Brown and Josephus Brown (Mary Lou). Her brother Frank Lee Brown (Clara) also
continues to reside in Louisville, Mississippi. She also leaves to cherish nineteen grandchildren,
twenty-seven great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and neph-
ews.
For all the times you gently picked me up, when I fell down,
For all the times you tied my shoes and tucked me into bed,
Or needed something but put me first instead.
For everything we shared, the dreams, the laughter,
And the tears, I love you with a Special Love
That shall never end. With tear filled eyes and a heavy heart,
I say Thank you for all you have done.
~Love you always Alphonso
A wife, a mother, a grandma too, this is the legacy we have from
you. You TAUGHT US LOVE and how to fight, you gave us
strength, you gave us might. A stronger person would be hard to
find and in your heart, you were ALWAYS KIND. You fought for us
all in one way or another, not just as a wife, not just as a mother.
For all us you gave your best, now the time has come for you to
rest. So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep, your love in our
hearts we’ll Eternally Keep.
We Love You Granny
God took the strength of a mountain.
The Majesty of a tree.
The warmth of the summer sun.
The quiet calm of the sea.
The generous soul of nature.
The comforting arm of night.
The wisdom of the ages.
The power of the eagle’s flight.
The joy of a morning spring.
The faith of a mustard seed.
The patience of eternity.
The depth of a family need.
When He combined these qualities and
saw His masterpiece was complete,
He called it….
Prelude ....................................................................................... Musician
Processional .................................................................................... Family
Scripture .................................................................................................
Old Testament - Isaiah 41:10
New Testament - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Prayer ............................................................................. Antonio Thigpen
Selection ...................................................................... Henrietta Thomkins
Acknowledgements and Resolutions ............................................................
Obituary .................................................................... Claretha Washington
Remarks ............................................................................... 2 min. please
Eulogy .................................................................... Reverend Bernard Clark
Benediction .................................................................................. Minister
Recessional ..................................................................................... Family
(Tuesday, September 21, 2021 - 9:00 a.m.
Meet at Smith and Thomas Funeral Home)
Oakridge Cemetery
4301 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Hillside, IL 60162
(Immediately following Service)
Elmwood Park, Parks and Recreation
2 Conti Pkwy
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Funeral: 11:30 a.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60644
Reverend Bernard Clark, Officiating
sippi to farmers Shelly and Susie Brown. Amy was a huge help on the farm by learning to cook at
an early age. Her devoted parents instilled a great work ethic in all of their children. When Amy
lost her mother at ten years of age, she assisted in the rearing of her younger siblings. Shelly
Brown remarried (Ellen) and this blended union raised a total of fifteen children.
Amy accepted The Most High as her Lord and Savior and was willing to share whatever she could
throughout her life. That southern hospitality was woven into every fiber of her being. Due to the
demands of farming, Amy’s formal education was cut short. However, she mastered the skills of
life and had a PhD in recognizing a troubled soul. There was always time to counsel those who
sought her experience and words of wisdom.
Amy had dreams of city life. Her union to O.Z. Coleman (who preceded her in death) afforded her
the opportunity to migrate to Chicago, Illinois. Amy was employed for several years at Adolph
Plating Company and The Salvation Army. Her ability to express her southern charm lead to in-
creased sales at all sites. She loved meeting new people and remained with The Salvation Army
until retirement.
Amy was affectionately known as Granny, she regularly hosted Sunday dinners which became an
event because of her excellent cooking skills. She would often comment regarding weight gain,
although she made it hard to resist her amazing food and baked goods.
Amy leaves to cherish her memories: Beloved daughters, Linda Jean Robinson, Kenoria Stevens,
Bonita Coleman-Brown (Jerome) who preceded her in death and Claretha Washington; and her
loving sons, Lindsey Coleman (Sarah), Ellis Coleman, Terry Coleman, Emmanuel Coleman, and
Nathaniel Coleman. The following devoted sisters preceded her in death; Evanderline Brown, Cleo-
patra Triplett, Alice Stephens, Katherine Miller, Evalena Brown and Mary Dale Brown. Her sister
Effie Lee Coleman continues to reside in Louisville, Mississippi. The following loyal brothers also
preceded her in death; Shelly Brown, Jr., Willie Russell Brown, Edgar Lee Brown, Coya Brown,
JoeNathan Brown and Josephus Brown (Mary Lou). Her brother Frank Lee Brown (Clara) also
continues to reside in Louisville, Mississippi. She also leaves to cherish nineteen grandchildren,
twenty-seven great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and neph-
ews.
For all the times you gently picked me up, when I fell down,
For all the times you tied my shoes and tucked me into bed,
Or needed something but put me first instead.
For everything we shared, the dreams, the laughter,
And the tears, I love you with a Special Love
That shall never end. With tear filled eyes and a heavy heart,
I say Thank you for all you have done.
~Love you always Alphonso
A wife, a mother, a grandma too, this is the legacy we have from
you. You TAUGHT US LOVE and how to fight, you gave us
strength, you gave us might. A stronger person would be hard to
find and in your heart, you were ALWAYS KIND. You fought for us
all in one way or another, not just as a wife, not just as a mother.
For all us you gave your best, now the time has come for you to
rest. So go in peace, you’ve earned your sleep, your love in our
hearts we’ll Eternally Keep.
We Love You Granny
God took the strength of a mountain.
The Majesty of a tree.
The warmth of the summer sun.
The quiet calm of the sea.
The generous soul of nature.
The comforting arm of night.
The wisdom of the ages.
The power of the eagle’s flight.
The joy of a morning spring.
The faith of a mustard seed.
The patience of eternity.
The depth of a family need.
When He combined these qualities and
saw His masterpiece was complete,
He called it….
Prelude ....................................................................................... Musician
Processional .................................................................................... Family
Scripture .................................................................................................
Old Testament - Isaiah 41:10
New Testament - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Prayer ............................................................................. Antonio Thigpen
Selection ...................................................................... Henrietta Thomkins
Acknowledgements and Resolutions ............................................................
Obituary .................................................................... Claretha Washington
Remarks ............................................................................... 2 min. please
Eulogy .................................................................... Reverend Bernard Clark
Benediction .................................................................................. Minister
Recessional ..................................................................................... Family
(Tuesday, September 21, 2021 - 9:00 a.m.
Meet at Smith and Thomas Funeral Home)
Oakridge Cemetery
4301 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Hillside, IL 60162
(Immediately following Service)
Elmwood Park, Parks and Recreation
2 Conti Pkwy
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Funeral: 11:30 a.m.
Smith and Thomas Funeral Home
5708 W. Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60644
Reverend Bernard Clark, Officiating