A Synopsis of the Life of Our Beloved
Mother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend
Ms. Barbara Anna Coley
Ms. Barbara Anna Coley was the baby of the late Timothy O. Coley Sr. and Lila Mae Coley. She was born on January 30, 1949 in Sumter County, Georgia. Understanding the three most important values that were bestowed upon her as a child from her parents, A relationship with God, the power of a Good Education and keeping the family together.
She joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. Addition to living a Christian life; one of her greatest passions was singing praises unto the lord. You could really see this on Sunday morning services when she would hold her head back an open her mouth and her voice was enchanting and spirit filled. Her love for Christ and her church was beyond measure.
Her appreciation for education was the same. After graduating from Sumter County High School in 1967, she advanced her education by acquiring a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fort Valley State College now University. Barbara Ann also extended her education by attending Tuskegee Institute where she received a Degree in Food and Nutrition with a paid internship. During her education mission, she joined the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
The love of her life was her beloved daughter, Nealia S. Coley along with her family. Now 2008 she planned along with other family members a Family reunion after 25 year of not having one. Because of the love and devotion to her family she retired from the Department of Family Children Services as a WIC Specialist in Macon, Georgia only to return home to take care of her mother after the death of her father.
She later returned to work holding positions as; Nutritionist for the Sumter County School System, Caseworker for First Time Moms. After her health began to fail, she took a look at life and decided to commit her time to doing what she loved and who she loved and that’s being Nealia’s mother and making sure that her family knew about the loving Savior.
Barbara Ann fulfilled her mission in life, and on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 4:30 P.M. she said “Farewell”. God embraced her in His arms and enfolded her in his love while her beloved family watched. Preceding her in death was one brother Timothy O. Coley Jr. and one sister Constance Helmstetter.
Ms. Barbara Anna Coley leaves a legacy of love and memories to her beloved Daughter Nealia S. Coley of Americus, Georgia. Two sisters, Otis Mae (Ernest) Calloway and Gracie L. Milliner both of Hartford, Connecticut. Four brothers; Robert N. (Gwendolyn) Coley and Ronald Coley of Americus, Georgia , Rudolph(Velma) Coley of Andersonville, Georgia and Stephen C. (Gisela) Coley of Columbia, Maryland. A devoted friend and classmate Ray Jean Henderson as well as Mr. Charles and Margaret Mathis faithful neighbors all of Americus, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, cousin, other relatives and friends.
