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Lawrence B. Coleman Obituary

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Lawrence B. Coleman

Suffolk, VA

July 23, 1952 - August 27, 2019

Lawrence B. Coleman Obituary

LAWRENCE BROOKS "LARRY" COLEMAN CHESAPEAKE – Larry’s call to ministry came before he was born. Larry’s mother promised God that if she were blessed with a son, she would give her son back to God in ministry, like Samuel. Larry came into the world an answered prayer on July 23, 1952. In embracing his calling as a father, a husband, and a pastor, Larry has blessed so many people with his love, faith, thoughtfulness, generosity, and humor. On Tuesday, August 27th, Larry passed away peacefully in his home with family and hospice care present. Larry’s family has deep roots in Virginia and in North Carolina. Larry’s grandfather, Joseph Slater, met Elizabeth Bidgood while working in Norfolk, VA and they married at Churchland Baptist Church in 1904. They bought a beautiful home in Asheville, North Carolina in 1929. Larry’s mother lived most of her life there, and raised Larry and his two older sisters, Beth and Bev, in that same beautiful home. Larry’s parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Coleman. Larry was influenced at a young age by the culture around Billy Graham. Larry and his sisters would create on their own worship services in the living room for their mother, with Bev playing hymns on the piano and Larry preaching sermons already at the age of 5. At the age of 15, at a Young Life camp in Colorado, Larry found his calling and committed his life to ministry. Larry graduated from Furman University with a B.A. in Philosophy, and from there pursued his MDiv at Southeastern and his ThM at Princeton Theological Seminary. At Princeton, Larry took especially to pastoral theology and pastoral care. He also completed almost all of a doctorate program at Southern Seminary and Colgate Rochester University. He began a lifetime of ministry at Bellewood Baptist Church in North Syracuse, New York in 1979. Larry was always active in the community; his service for two years as the Kiwanis Club president led him to meet Kim, who was the Key Club advisor and president of the Christian Women’s Club at the time. They married in 1989. Larry was called to be the pastor of First Baptist Church of Laurinburg, NC in January of 1990. Larry and Kim moved with Jacquelynn an infant in arms, and welcomed two new daughters, Melisa and Rebecca, into the family during the ten years at FBC Laurinburg. In 2000, Larry and his family moved to Chesapeake, VA, as Larry was called to be the pastor of Churchland Baptist Church. Larry retired from Churchland Baptist Church in January 2016. Health complications created tough decisions, and Larry thoughtfully and prayerfully embarked on a lung transplant journey. In September 2017, Larry got a different kind of call - a new pair of lungs was waiting for him. The lung transplant journey has had its ups and downs, but Larry and his family have treasured every extra moment this tremendous gift has given them. Larry had a big personality. He had a laugh that could fill a room. He enjoyed golfing, cooking, dancing, skiing, playing bridge, traveling, and doing home projects. He loved to tell stories, to think analytically, to enjoy fellowship with good friends, and to inspire others to serve in the community. He was active in Rotary club, CBF and BWA. He had a long passion for the global church community, missions, religious freedom, advocacy, and social justice issues; even in the early days of his ministry, Larry was involved in progressive Baptist movements leading to the birth of BWA and CBF. Larry embraced pastoring as a servant calling. So many congregants have experienced his influence on their faith journeys, his unparalleled pastoral care in times of trouble, his discerning compassion in times of loss, and his voice of reason and compassion in contentious conversations. His years of ministry resound with the depth of his love for people and his faith in God. Most of all, Larry embodied God’s unconditional love. One of his love languages was gift giving, and Larry was always pouring himself out for his family, in small and big ways alike. He showered his wife regularly with flowers, exquisite home cooked meals, and trips together, and Larry and Kim loved to go dancing. He doted on his daughters, carefully preparing school lunches for them all the way through high school, fully engaged and encouraging them in sports and music programs, taking them on amazing trips to Disney, the American West, Alaska, and Europe. He nurtured in his daughters a sense of confidence, a love of critical thinking, and a spirit of independence and adventure. In January 2017, with three oxygen tanks in tow, Larry participated in the Women’s March in Norfolk, VA with Jackie, Jen and Kim beside him, and with Melisa and Becca marching in D.C. Even in facing difficult medical decisions, Larry acted with great courage and gave his all in love for his family. Larry is survived by his wife Kim Coleman, his daughters Jackie, Melisa, and Becca Coleman, and his daughter-in-law, Jen Fiscus. His surviving family also includes his sister Bev Goins of Brevard, NC; his sister Beth Lionetti and brother-in-law Jerry Lionetti of Denver, CO; his half-sister Katherine Haroldson of New Bern, NC; and his half-brother Brooks Coleman of Fort Lauderdale, FL. The receiving will be at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Bennett’s Creek Chapelon Friday, September 6, 2019 from 6:00– 7:30 PM. A service of celebration will be at Hampton Baptist Church on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 2 PM, followed by a time of fellowship. If you are so moved, give generously to the Churchland Baptist Church Memorial Fund or to the Hampton Baptist Church Capital Campaign.

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