Cheryl Lynn (Thompson) Coleman

Robert A. Waters Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | August 11, 2020

Cheryl Lynn Thompson Coleman died August 5, 2020. She was born on July 11, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, the second of three children to the late Robert F. and Doris S. Thompson.

No one knew the profound impact this child would make or leave on so many lives, but GOD knew. She was raised with the core values of putting God first then family.  

Cheryl accepted the Lord at a very early age.  She loved the Lord so much and fulfilling our Grandfather’s wishes she pursued and received a Certificate of License to preach the Gospel of Ministry in 2005, followed by obtaining her Certificate of Ordination in 2006 from Bethlehem Baptist Church, McKeesport, PA, where she delivered her first sermon as an Associate Minister, the beginning of several to come.  Up until the time of her passing, Cheryl was actively coordinating and planning church functions, occasionally teaching a computer class or two.

Resulting from her strong belief in Jesus Christ, our Lord, Cheryl was able to accomplish her life’s dreams. Cheryl excelled as a student graduating from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL, receiving a Liberal Arts and Science Degree in 1979.  While attending U of I in 1976, she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha “AKA” Gamma Chapter. After leaving the university, Cheryl took a position with Mellon Bank, N.A., where she also excelled and became an AVP before the bank disbanded the Mortgage Division.  There she met and married the love of her life, Leon Coleman. From this union she had two sons; Saeon and Aaron. Sought after by various employers, she worked as an independent mortgage lender contractor for several years before returning to school to obtain a Master’s of Education degree, alongside her youngest son Aaron. Working and teaching adult students were a passion of hers which she fulfilled as an Instructor at the Bidwell Training Center, Pittsburgh, PA.

Anyone who met Cheryl could tell immediately she had a special anointing upon her life. Here’s just one example, we were coming back from a sister vacation and going through the airport when a distraught woman approached us and asked if Cheryl not me could pray for her because she was going through some things and needed a “Word”. My sister dropped her bags, grabbed our hands and commenced to praying “Heavenly Father we just come to you in this time of need…”.  As she was praying you could feel the anointing God had placed on her life, much like a warm blanket for comfort. Cheryl opened her heart to those in need and never wanted to say no.  Sadly, for us on August 5, 2020, Earth lost a Foot Soldier for the Lord, but Heaven gained an Angel. “Well done my sister, your assignment here is complete.”

There are countless stories I could recite regarding Cheryl’s unselfish ways and acts of encouragement to others. Sometimes, just a small gesture of kindness can make a hugh impact on/in someone’s life; it could be as simple as a gospel note or a phone call to a friend or family member. She would always say if “You change the narrative; you can change the story”—this is one of my take a ways.

Let us not forget Cheryl’s impeccable taste, a tea connoisseur, she was the glamorous one. She had to have her hair, nails, make-up, clothes and shoes immaculate, she definitely inherited those characteristics from our mother. As a Breast Cancer survivor, she lost all her hair; nonetheless, Cheryl wore her crown proudly. She participated in the annual Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk, at first to honor me and others stricken by the disease then later for herself. Even so, you better believe she had on make-up.

Cheryl leaves to mourn her loving husband, Leon, two sons; Saeon (Brandi), Aaron; adopted daughter Amanda Haines; grandsons Alex, Demetrius, Saeon Jr; granddaughters Syniah, Aariona; two sisters Cynthia ( the late Demetrio) Branch, Diana Thompson; two brothers Eric and Anthony (Sharon) Campbell; second mom Ernestine Thompson; sister in laws Naomi Lee, Diane Coleman, Barbara Smith, Lorraine King; brother in law John Coleman.  A host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and friends near and far.  

A WALK THROUGH VIEWING FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020 (4:00pm-8:00pm) AT ROBERT A. WATERS FUNERAL HOME, INC. FOLLOWED BY A PRIVATE SERVICE ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12TH AT 11:00 AM. ALL VISITORS ARE ASKED TO WEAR MASKS AND BE MINDFUL OF SOCIAL DISTANCING DURING EACH SERVICE.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cheryl Lynn (Thompson) Coleman, please visit our floral store.

Visitation
Tuesday
August 11, 2020
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Robert A. Waters Funeral Home, Inc.
2326 Jenny Lind Street
McKeesport, PA 15132

Funeral Service
Wednesday
August 12, 2020
11:00 AM
Robert A. Waters Funeral Home, Inc.
2326 Jenny Lind Street
McKeesport, PA 15132

Originally published August 11, 2020.

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