Roberta Wilson-Coleman

“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”- Hebrews 6:10.

Roberta Lynette Wagner Wilson Coleman earthly journey was marked by her birth on March 30, 1918 in Selma, Arkansas to Robert and Willie Mae Rhodes Wagner. Raised by her grandparents, George and Celia Wagner, she learned moral principles that governed her life. She grew up in the Baptist Church where she began her love for Christ. Every year Roberta was the speaker for the Church’s Educational Program.

Roberta attended the renowned Julius Rosenwald Training School until the 8th grade. This school was built by a Jewish man to offer Blacks an opportunity to obtain a better education. She later attended W. C. Fields High School until the 10th grade when her education was interrupted due to the need to take care of her aunt. At the age of 38, Roberta returned to Echos Volt Technical School and earned her High School Diploma.

Later, Roberta obtained employment as a custodian at Noble Elementary School. Possessing an amiable personality and astuteness, the Principal promoted her to a Special Education Teacher’s assistant. Later, the Superintendent of Schools asked her if she wanted to go to College and paid for her 1st year of tuition at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Due to having exceptional grades, the Hillary Clinton program paid for an additional 2 years of tuition at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Her desire to complete High School, go to College and also become a Foreign Missionary was achieved. Her education continued later when she matriculated at Aenon Bible College of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. to further her understanding and awareness of the need to be born again by Water Baptism in the Name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:38.

Her profound love for the Lord was reflected in her willingness to serve and perform in whatever capacity necessary to support the ministry. Roberta served in various capacities within the Church of God in Christ. At the age of 26, Roberta was baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Ghost on the 2nd Sunday in August of 1944 at Christ Temple Pentecostal Church founded by the late Elder Charlie Cox. With a new zeal for life, Roberta’s motto was, “If I can reach out and touch someone in a positive way, my living will not be in vain”. This attitude was reflected as she worked in her local church in various capacities that included Evangelist Colemen serving as the Church Secretary, Young People’s President, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Missionary President and the coordinator of many other programs. She was faith in carrying our her responsibilities and served with dignity. Her Pastor, Elder Cox had two churches and Evangelist Coleman served as Pastor of the second church – Friendship Pentecostal Church. People often called her the “Head Knocker” because she held so many titles.

Roberta was married to Brother Charlie Wilson for 62 years until his demise on November 6, 1996. Later in life she was joined in holy matrimony to Deacon Marshall Coleman from 2000 until his demise in 2011. This union resulted in her gaining 12 additional children, in addition to her daughter Ruby Helen. This union was characterized by a mutual bond of love and affection. 

In additional to her service in the educational arena and her local church, she was faithful to the Arkansas District Council and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. On the District Level, Evangelist Coleman served in various capacities. She was the Secretary of the District Fellowship, Council’s Assistant Secretary, Sunday School Workshop Leader, Usher Board President, and Secretary of the Ministers’ Wives. Evangelist Coleman was known for keeping good records. In 1969 at the PAW Convention, she was appointed as the Regional Usher Board President. This was her first time ushering at the Convention. Evangelist Coleman also organized the Arkansas District Council Usher Board and was the first President. She also received numerous awards and certificates from the International Usher Board of the PAW, Inc. Evangelist Coleman attributed the success of the Usher Board to the goodness of God. She was a faithful and enthusiastic Usher from 1965 to 2015.

Evangelist Coleman was a known author of various books, training manuals for Christian Education along with writing many poems for every occasion. She was extremely talented and had an inspirational word for everyone that came in contact with her. She often said, “Get to know me to love me”. Evangelist Coleman had a witty sense of humor saying that she was “like Paul in the Bible” who also was humorous. She believed that saints should not be graveyard seekers and should laugh sometimes. Having a friendly personality afforded her connections with people in many States. Evangelist Coleman was known as a talker, but she didn’t talk foolish.

Evangelist Coleman labors included starting the Foster Grandparent Program at Noble Elementary School where she attended. This was such a wonderful program for the children that it was implemented in other schools. 

Later in life, Evangelist Coleman relocated to California. She attended Greater Emmanuel Temple in Lynwood under the Pastorate of the Late Bishop Carl W. Stewart and thereafter under the current Pastor Nisan Stewart. She continued to diligently labor in kingdom work serving on the Ministerial Staff, serving as a Sunday School Teacher and a mentor to many.

Evangelist Coleman was known for doing things with grace. Being very talented, she crocheted gifts, sewed and painted. She continued writing books and poems utilizing her computer skills. She was very strong and vibrant. She was a lady of grace that was very poised. She loved to dress beautifully, wearing the loveliest hats. Evangelist Roberta Wilson Coleman was one of a kind, serving the Lord to the fullest – a true Saint of God.

Over her rich lifetime, Evangelist Roberta Coleman received many awards, certificates and accolades which is a great honor to the numerous accomplishments in her life. She was a truly unique and awesome woman who truly enjoyed serving God and always had something good to say. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands – Charlie and Marshall; her children: Ruby Helen, Robert, Edward, Bonita, siblings and a host of other relatives.

Evangelist Roberta Wilson Coleman leaves a rich legacy to be cherished and treasured in the hearts of her sons, Richard Coleman, Thomas Coleman, John Coleman, Charles Coleman; daughters Mable Banks, Evelyn Webb, Carolyn Hall, Ada Graham, Mary Moses and Ruby Coleman; goddaughters, Classie Green and Brenda Jackson, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives, friends, the Christ Temple Pentecostal Church Family, the Greater Emmanuel Temple Family of Lynwood, CA, the Saints of God, and a special friend Lynette Beck of Athelstone 5075, Australia. 

… Penned by Evangelist Roberta Wilson-Coleman in 2021