Mertis Coleman, shared with us the beautiful essence of a life well lived through her radiating smile, joyful spirit and love for all she met. We couldn't be more grateful to have had the privilege to have Mertis in our lives whether as family, friends, sorror, colleague, student, mentor or close confidant. As a young girl, growing up in Guthrie, Oklahoma, she was the eldest child of Merle and Henrietta Coleman and sister to Merle Jr, Anthony and Barry. Each day until her parents, returned from work, Mertis played across the street at her grandparents, affectionately known as Mama and Daddy Dee with her cousin Rita. The two developed a loving bond going to school together each day at Page Elementary and Faver High School sharing the same classmates and friends. Mertis excelled early in school, was a member of the Faver High School band salutatorian of her senior class. Friends described her as being an inspiration to her peers to do well, to endeavor to pursue their ambitions and make their indelible mark on the world. She was loyal friend and confidant on whom you could depend. She genuinely loved all her friends and talked continually with Clarice, Myrtle, Arlene, Charlotte, and JoAnn. The balance of her humor and wit made quite delightful and was at times sure to leave you laughing hysterically. She loved music and dancing. Merle Jr. and Mertis are remembered to groove to the tune of Mercy, Mercy, Mercy, by Cannon Ball Atterly. Rounding out her upbringing, her Aunts Dorothy, Eugenia and Jewell saw to it that Mertis and her cousins Osa and Carole understood the intricacies of being a lady by sending then to the YMCA for Saturday etiquette classes in Oklahoma City. Mertis went on to complete her undergraduate studies at Langston University in 1969 where she majored in education and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. upon graduation, Mertis worked at her alma matter as administrative assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Jones. In 1976, Mertis began her career as an educator in Guthrie Public Schools, teaching both 5th and 6th grade classes. She was loved and respected by her colleagues, students and their parents. Mertis was always proud of her student's accomplishments. Aspiring to further expand her education, was an active member of the Guthrie Association of Classroom Teachers, the Oklahoma Educators Association and the National Educators Association. The doting sister to her brothers, Mertis lead the way as an example for them to follow. Even though she was away at college, Mertis saw to it that the younger brother stayed focused in school and even credited herself with "raising" her baby brother, as well as, her cousin Mike. Her siblings and family fondly referred to her as "Baby". For many years, the summers were spent in Los Angeles, visiting her brothers and her Aunt Mary and family. While there, she enjoyed trips to the beach, assembling huge jigsaw puzzles, playing cards and domino games, while socializing with family. She especially loved spending girl time with her cousins, Rochelle, Gail, Elizabeth, Victoria and Yolanda. The summer visit typically ended with one of her favorite past-times, shopping! Her recent travel ventured to Seattle for a wedding, to Los Vegas with seven cousins and prior trips to New York, Hawaii, and Atlanta, amongst many other destinations. Mertis was a devoted care giver of her late mother for several years, later visiting her at least twice daily at her nursing home to spend time with her and affirm that she was getting the care she needed. Mertis filled her time with giving back to others through her service with the Faver Alumni Association, and Langston University National Alumnae Association - Guthrie Chapter 137. Mertis was a Delta Dear (longest chapter member) of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Langston Alumnae Chapter. The Delta Sigma Theta collegiate chapter of Langston University had the honor of having Mertis work with their advisors, Joyce Allen and Patricia Love who encouraged her to give more of her time to these young ladies, mentoring them and attending regional and national conventions with them. During Langston's homecoming each year, Mertis could be found at the Delta Hospitality working where needed. She served on several committees of her alumnae chapter and held various positions as an officer, including chapter president. Nothing thrilled her more than her niece Chloe expressing her interest in joining the same sorority as her Aunt Mertis and becoming her soror! Up until recently, Mertis continued to support the chapter programs, helping with public service, even planning to attend the chapter meeting this past Monday. Lately, she is quoted as wittingly telling the members, "You know,I'm getting a little old for this. Let's let the young ones do some of this work". Through Logan County Youth Services, after retiring from teaching, Mertis was privileged to work part-time at the Youth Shelter for youth in transition between foster placements where she spent her time caring for and providing firm loving support to the children there. Again there, she engaged in service by collecting pillows for the shelter. While Mertis did not have children of her own, children gravitated to her. She would invest her time helping them develop morals, values and occasionally assist in meeting their needs, most importantly giving of her attention and affection. This began with her Uncle Wendell's children: Jr., Traci, Chad, and Todd. Lately, she spent time with her young cousins Whitney and Charles who loved visiting "Cousin Mertis" with their grandfather, Mike. Throughout the years, giving, kind, and loving as her Aunt Mertis. The East Grant Street Church of Christ is where Mertis worshipped as young girl with her family and throughout her adult life. There she could be found faithful serving where needed over the years. As her family, through our shared convictions to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we know with assurance that we will meet again with our dear Mertis. Her brothers, Anthony Coleman and wife Loletta (Altadena, CA); Barry McClellon and wife Youlanda (Federal Way, WA); her niece, Chole Coleman (Norman, OK); her aunts, Mary Taylor (Pasadena, CA); Ruby McClellon (Altus, OK) and close friends, Andrea Coleman (Los Angeles, CA) relish the gift of Mertis' presence in our lives and invite you to come to know the joy of celebrating her full and fruitful like knowing that scripture instructs us to live sensible, upright, and Godly, as we await that blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:13-14). Until we meet again, rest in peace, Dear Mertis Jean.