Mr. Booker T. Coleman

Mr. Booker T. Coleman passed away on Monday, May 15, 2023 at his residence. Funeral services were held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 1:00 PM at New Birth Christian Ministries with Senior Pastor Patrick Wilson, Sr. officiating. Interment was held in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Coleman was born in Washington County, Georgia on September 21, 1941 to the parentage of the late Mr. Clifford Coleman and Mrs. Mayola Jenkins Coleman. He was the oldest of five children.

He graduated from T.J. Elder High School in 1960. After graduation, in hopes of playing baseball, Booker T attended Fort Valley State College. Unfortunately, after a short time, he returned home to help care for his mother and younger siblings.

In 1966, Mr. Coleman was drafted by the US Army to fight in the Vietnam War. After serving four years, he was honorably discharged receiving numerous Purple Hearts. Upon returning home, he was on of the few African Americans to be employed at AICC. Throughout his career, he worked in various departments and retired from maintenance after thirty five years of service.

In his spare time, he played and coached recreational sports. He managed the “famous” 35 Tennille Bombers and Bomeretes. In addition to sports, he enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was known for hosting “epic” community fish fries.

On July 4, 1992, he married his longtime sweetheart, Ms. Mary Middlebrooks. They have been married for thirty-on (31) years and together they have eight (8) children.

Booker T joined New Birth Christian Ministries in 1994 during its conception. He was very passionate about working in the church. He spent countless hours making sure that the grounds were kept.

In New Birth, Mr. Coleman served faithfully as a Deacon and was the very first Sunday School Superintendent. He encouraged the youth to stay in school and often gave monetary gifts for those who excelled in academics and athletics.

At the church he had become known as “the man with the bag.” It was evident that the ministry had become his greatest passion. He devoted his time, talents and resources for kingdom work. He would often quote, “I am on a mission for the Lord!”

Not only did he serve his ministry well, he served in local government as a councilman in the City of Tennille for eighteen (18) years. Though he has faced many obstacles towards the end of his life, he continued to stand on the word of the Lord!

Mr. Coleman leaves cherished memories to his loving and devoted wife: Mrs. Mary Middlebrooks Coleman, Tennille, Georgia; eight children: Ms. Yvette Ann Taylor, Tennille, Georgia, Senior Pastor Patrick (VanNessal) Wilson, Sr., Wrightsville, Georgia, Mr. Alvin (Chiquita) James, Sandersville, Georgia, Mr. Alphonso (Tina) Middlebrooks, Elder Clifford (Sharon) Coleman, Ms. WyKesha Coleman, Mr. Eric Wilson, Mr. Ransom Coleman, Tennille, Georgia; two sisters: Ms. Veduria McBride, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Ms. Jeanette Edwards, Tennille, Georgia; one brother: Mr. Ransom Coleman, New Jersey; one aunt: Ms. Christene Brantley; seventeen grandchildren; a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. M. C. Smith Funeral Home in charge.