Charlotte Lenora Coleman was born April 4, 1941 in Whiteville, NC to the late
Charles and Hester Catherine Coleman. Charlotte was a fraternal twin to the late Charles Leroy
Coleman. God called her home the morning of May 2, 2020.
Charlotte affectionately called Aunt Lenora or MARY by family and friends. She graduated
Central H.S. in Whiteville, NC. Charlotte moved to New York City in the early 1960’s where she
worked as in the factories, Forest Daycare Center and a domesticated worker for numerous
families in NYC, until she retired in 1981.
In the mid 60’s Charlotte met and married the late Jimmy Harris, from this union she had two
daughters Cassandra and Alicia Harris and a son Markus Harris.
Charlotte was very well known as Missionary/Minister James in the body of Christ, she
attended Solid Rock Church under the leadership of Pastor Hans Anderson. She loved
Preaching, teaching, and singing (her favorite songs “Fill my cup Lord” and “All of my life, I say
yes lord”). She loved wearing her wide brim beautiful hats, to match her outfits and her heeled
shoes. Charlotte believed in taking her children to Sunday School and Bible study as these
things were the foundation of knowing God’s word. One of her favorite sayings were, I live to
live again. After she suffered a massive stroke in 2002 she stopped ministering from the pulpit
and enjoyed the word from a seat in the audience. She was content being in the midst around
the members.
In 1992 Ms. Charlotte married the late Franklin James and as a blended family of eight they
continued to work in Solid Rock church, serving God with a passion.
Ms. Mary as the community sometimes called her, was well known for her snappy
comments, eating junk food (honey buns) sneaking sodas into the house and her bright smile.
Charlotte leaves to celebrate her memories her children Cassandra Harris, Alicia Harris, and
Markus Harris all residing in the Bronx, NY, Dr. Franklin James, Jr. (Jody James), Sparta, IL, Bettie
James, Bronx, NY, Barbara Rozzell (Cecil), Thomasville, NC, Ronald James, Brooklyn, NY, Keisha
Smith (Corey) Virginia Beach, VA.; grandchildren, Jamal Miller, Jaelen Burris, Myracle Harris,
Odell Wilson, Shanta James, Jerisha Perry Dillard, Taylor James, Corey Smith, and Kierra Smith.
Three great grandchildren; Terrance Dillard, Janiyah Dillard and Journ’ee James; Three sisters
Callie Loraine Coleman (her Granny), Bronx, NY, Annette Rose Cutler, Whiteville, NC, Joyce
Sinclair, Baltimore, MD, and one brother Woodrow Coleman of Whiteville, NC. And a host of
Family and Friends. Two Godchildren Terrance Mabry of Jacksonville, FL. And Jazmonay Cherry.
Preceding her in death are her father Charles Coleman, her mother Hester Catherine Coleman,
Jimmy Harris, Franklin M. James, Sr. Sisters Yvonne Cherry, Blondell Slaughter, brothers James
Orlando Coleman, and Charles Leroy Coleman, brother-in-laws Charles James, Allen James, King
Solomon James, Daniel James, and sister-in-laws, Hattie Mae Johnson, Mary Neil Mashore,
Ruthie E. Johnson, Odell Freeman, and Viola Mackey.
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