Obituary of Patricia Gooden-Bereal Coleman

Patricia Gooden-Bereal Coleman was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Leroy and Minerva Patton. She passed peacefully in her family's presence on January 14, 2023. Grounded in her love for the Lord, Patricia was a devoted wife, loving mother, fierce community advocate, and a trusted friend to many. Patricia's formal education included graduating from Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri, and continued education in psychology, sociology, childhood development, human relations, and cultural education at the University of Missouri, El Paso Community College, and Southern State Colorado College - Belair College. Her educational experiences inspired her to pursue a life of public service and the betterment of her community. She retired from Pikes Peak Legal Services, where she worked as a paralegal specializing in family and consumer law. Notably, she worked as a community liaison, executive board member, and eventually 1st vice president of the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the NAACP. Patricia volunteered as a teacher's aide and social service worker for Headstart-Colorado. Patricia's community activism extended to her memberships in the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW) Pikes Lodge #473/Columbine Temple No.1053, the National Urban League, her neighborhood school district as Cub Scout and Brownies Den Mother, and numerous distinguished boards and commissions throughout El Paso County. In addition to serving her community, Patricia served the Lord with gladness. She was a St. John's Baptist Church member and later joined Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church (EMBC). She loved Bishop Thompson and the EMBC family. She always wore her Sunday best and was nicknamed "Sparkles" to match her glamorous and dynamic personality. Her many accomplishments paled in comparison to the pride she felt for her family. Her legacy includes her husband, Sergeant First Class Lawrence B. Coleman, U.S. Army (Retired); three children, Duane (Candy) Lee, Donelyn Jones, and Darryl (Fran) Lee; eight grandchildren, Henry Jackson and Duane Lee Jr., Domonique, Brittany, Judah (Shani) James, and Jason, Matthew, and Adam Lee; and the voices of her four great-grandchildren, Nazirah, Naziriah, and Nazirene James, and Leia Lee were music to her ears. She is survived by her older brother, Leroy Patton Sr. of Portland, Oregon, and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, John, Jesse, and Gerald "Jerry" Patton; and her sister, Antoinette Medina. Her love extended beyond her family and was felt by the numerous friends she considered family. She will be missed by all who met, knew, and loved her. Visitation, 10:00AM-11:00AM, Thursday, January 26, 2023, Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, North Campus, 3615 Vickers Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918. Memorial Service, 11:00AM, Thursday, January 26, 2023, Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church, North Campus; 3615 Vickers Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918. Patricia was full of life and preferred Memorial Contributions to the family over flowers. Her memorial service can be viewed online at www.godiswithus.org. Events Visitation Thursday, January 26, 2023 10:00AM - 11:00AM Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church 3615 Vickers Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Phone: 719-328-1793 Memorial Service Thursday, January 26, 2023 11:00AM Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church 3615 Vickers Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Phone: 719-328-1793