Selena Maudine Collins was born to Jesse Collins and Robert Jean Carthan on Thursday, January 24, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri. She and her brother Maurice were raised by their paternal grandmother, Ella Collins. They faithfully attended 23rd and Delmar Church of God in Christ in the city of St. Louis, Missouri which later became Bostick Temple Church of God in Christ.

On February 10, 1957, Selena married the love of her life, William Coburn, Jr. They were married at Bostick Temple Church of God in Christ. After several years of marriage, they were blessed with their first-born daughter, Traci Allayne. Although Traci would have liked to have been the only child, William Brent put a damper on that. The perfect pair, they thought, until Christopher Ellis came on the scene. By now Traci was not feeling so happy. And then, to everyone’s surprise, the child that completed that chapter…Candace Alina.

Mother Coburn received her education in the St. Louis public school system. She graduated from Sumner High School in St. Louis and continued to receive her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Harris-Stowe Teachers College in January 1956. While in college she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

She was an Educator who taught at Curtis Park Head Start, Barrett Elementary School and other elementary schools throughout the City. Years later she performed paraprofessional work grading papers at Montbello High School and reviewing scholarship applications for a local organization. Throughout the years she was often approached by students she taught who said she was their first or favorite teacher. Mother Coburn was a firm believer in education, and she pushed her children to higher learning.

Mother Coburn was a woman of grace, virtue, unconditional love, and compassion. The Proverbs 31woman best defines her. She was a woman who unselfishly sacrificed for her children and grandchildren. Her desire was to see them blessed. Affectionately known as “Neno” and later “Memaw,” not only did she raise her own children, but she was instrumental in helping to raise relative’s “kids,” neighborhood “kids,” church “kids,” the “kids” she babysat, “kids” that came home with her “kids,” and “kids” that just showed up from who knows where. Her affection for children was one of her greatest gifts. She mentored many young women, teaching them how to be good housekeepers, wives, and mothers. She taught biblical principles, and was an example of how to say little, pray a lot, be patient and often turn the other cheek. She taught how to love, forgive, and forget.

Mother Coburn was known for her baking. Among her many recipes were her special flavors of pound cakes, and Brent’s all-time favorite, Gooey Butter Cake. She loved sharing her recipes and teaching how to even make commodity foods taste pleasing. One of her children, no name mentioned, (Chris), often complained about eating roast for dinner every Sunday, but you best believe he ate it. Friday was fish day, and she kept her St. Louis tradition of serving fish and spaghetti.

Mother Coburn served faithfully at Prince of Peace Church of God in Christ under four pastoral administrations. Her father-in-law, overseer William Coburn, Sr., her husband Elder William Coburn, Jr. who she served alongside of for 37 years, her son Elder William Brent Coburn, and her grandson Elder Tyler Coburn, Sr. She was dedicated to the Lord, the church, and its members. She wore many hats, such as, Sunday School teacher and she would prepare light snacks in case you missed breakfast. She was a Vacation Bible School organizer and teacher, and she loved to dye Easter eggs and assemble the bags with the eggs and candy. She did the same for Christmas with fruit, nuts, and candy. She was involved with every auxiliary of the church. She loved Prince of Peace and attended almost every service up until a few weeks before her passing. If the church doors were open, she was there.

She received her Evangelist Missionary license in 2003 from the Jurisdiction of Colorado Church of God in Christ. She was Vice President of the Jurisdiction of Colorado Pastors, Elders and Ministers’ Wives and Widows Circle. She was co-chair of the Interdenominational Prayer Breakfast hosted and held at Prince of Peace. She also served faithfully as the II Vice President of the Denver Local Council Interdenominational Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows Association. She served as an advisor to the Jurisdiction of Colorado Young Women’s Christian Council, and for several years she served on the Finance Committee of the Jurisdiction of Colorado Metropolitan District.

Even with all her other commitments, she still found time for leisure and her hobbies. She sold Avon and loved delivering it to her senior clients and others. She was a calligrapher and addressed formal announcements and invitations for weddings and other events. She enjoyed attending exercise classes; collecting angels and butterflies; sewing and making ceramics; working crossword and word search puzzles. She was a writer and proofreader, and always made it a point to find spelling and grammatical mistakes in various reading materials. Every year beginning in January, she would read through the Bible in a year, never missing a day, and challenged others to do the same. Last, but not least, she loved watching The Price is Right and Jeopardy and hardly ever missed an episode. She never forgot a birthday or special occasion, and she remembered everything about everybody, and was adamant about trying to make you do the same.

There is so much more that we can recall about Mother Coburn, but to sum it all up, she will best be remembered for her sweet, kind, loyal and quiet demeanor. She was very patient and never raised her voice. She had a unique way of handling challenging people and situations, and she never judged anyone.

She is preceded in death by her husband Elder William Coburn, Jr., her parents, Jesse Collins and Robert Jean Carthan-George, her brother Maurice Collins, her grandmothers Ella Collins, and Edith Taylor.

She leaves to treasure her memories, Missionary Traci Coburn, Pastor William Brent (Dr. Carla) Coburn, Minister Chris (Minister Holli) Coburn, all of Colorado, and Minister Candace (Pastor James) Jefferson, Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri. Eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren. Her Prince of Peace church family, and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. She will be dearly missed by her forever friends, Dr. Shirley Branham (Phoenix Arizona), Missionary Thelma McCain (St. Louis, Missouri), Marcile Pernell, Edith Rucker, Lorraine Hardwick, Gwendolyn Guss, Reverend Ida Gice Smith, and Missionary Lovie Scurles, all of Colorado.

Famous Memaw Quotes

“If it had been a snake, it would have bit you.”

“I haven’t heard from you today.”

“I haven’t heard from your sister.”

 “A Woman of Grace”

Some things cannot be measured because of its infinite value.

Some things cannot be counted because not everything that counts can be counted.

Some things are only for a season because it has a specific purpose.

Some things are meant to last a lifetime because it can never be forgotten.

“…and so, She is.”