Obituary of Roland A. Coleman

CELEBRATING the LIFE of the MAN Roland Andrew Coleman, Sr., more commonly known as 'Rollie', a true giant of a force across many communities and organizations, departed this existence on 5 March 2024. He was born on 27 February 1927 at home in Elmira, NY, as the youngest of three sons to Floyd W., Sr. (1898-1988) and Rosabel Coleman (1904-2001), and later followed by a younger sister. By force of willpower, he recently celebrated his 97th birthday surrounded by loved ones in a new multi-generational family house in Atlanta, GA, a week before coming to rest at peace. Rollie was proud to be part of one of the oldest Black families to continuously live in Elmira dating back to at least 1900, and is predeceased by his parents and all of his siblings: F. Winston, Jr. (1924-2024), Howard (1925-2012), and Elinor (1931-1981). Rollie partnered with Mildred (neé Harris) in a marriage almost 72 years long…as they began dating in her senior year at Elmira Free Academy. From the union were born three children: sons Roland 'Rolie II' (Marjorie) and predeceased (d. 1998) Robin 'Rocky' (Sandra); as well as daughter Maya (Galen). Rollie also has a "bounty" of grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends so close they too have become family. Rollie's legacy lives in his many accomplishments from being a hall-of-fame basketball star, to a church and civic leader second to none. He earned over 50 awards and citations, along with serving as president of the local NAACP, EOP, and Neighborhood House Board, as well as a trusted advisor to many local, state, and national officials. Further the "Coleman Brothers", as grandsons of Rev. Ellison (the Frederick Douglass AME Zion Church Minister in the early 1900's), have religiously stood as the three pillars of Douglass from their toddler days in Sunday School, to Young Peoples' Conference, and every Sunday service until reaching nearly the age of 100! Services to honor Rollie will start with a public viewing 5-7pm Friday, 15 March 2024 at Frederick Douglass AME Zion Church (400 Madison Ave, Elmira, NY); followed by the Celebration of the Life of the Man at 11am Saturday, 16 March 2024 at Monumental Baptist Church (1009 Maple Ave., Elmira, NY). The conclusion will be a community repast on Saturday afternoon at the "Nabe", or more formally the Elmira Neighborhood House (350 E. 5th Street, Elmira, NY) after the interment.