Carolyn Coleman

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Carolyn Coleman on September 4, 2025, at the age of 73. She passed away peacefully at University Hospital in Newark, NJ, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 13, 1952, Carolyn was the cherished daughter of Arceneaux Coleman and Viola May Jules. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and common-law husband, Leonardo Lopez, with whom she shared more than 20 years of love and companionship.

She was very kind and generous to friends, family, loved ones and even strangers. She had such caring ways that she would feed anyone who was hungry with one of her AMAZING southern down home cooked meals. She was a great cook (and some would label the best!) and took tremendous joy in cooking for others and watching them dig in! She had a great heart, but was definitely not timid on telling it like it is. She had a strength and a boldness that was fearless especially when it came to her children. She was always reliable and able to be counted on and would be there for you no matter the time, morning, noon or night. Her loyalty was unmatched to her friends and family, and she would truly have your back and be ready to defend or protect you. She was an exceptionally great mother to her kids, and wouldn't allow them to want for anything. She had a unique personality and sense of humor. No conversation that she would ever have, ever excluded God. Even in her humor she wouldn't miss the opportunity to introduce Jesus in the conversation. Her faithfulness to the Lord was untested despite all the hardships that she would have experienced in her life and she made sure to instill those qualities into her children, grandchildren and friends alike. Carolyn grew up in multiple foster homes separated from some of her brothers and sisters and biological mother, but by the grace of God they would have all reunited forming a strong bond and became a courageous Coleman family. She grew very close to her siblings, and even before her journey into motherhood she took on a motherly role to her sister Barbara's daughter Sheryl, which she would have gotten great instincts and experience in being a loving guardian, preparing her one day for own children, in which she would have excelled at with no hesitation. Carolyn loved nothing more in this world than spending time with her children. Being on the phone with her daughter Michelle or laying down looking at TV with her son Bobby, her children were the joy of her life. She would enjoy a good competitive game of Gin Rummy and was no slouch in a good game of checkers, and would even had found an adventurous enjoyment in playing the Nintendo classic game Zelda. Some of her hobbies also included reading her bible, watching Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and listening to Smooth Jazz Music. She was truly a delight to be around. She would have been a strong piece of the puzzle to have hosted special parties/festivities for a lot of special occasions, whether it be Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or summer gatherings. Carolyn truly loved to cook, but especially on the holidays. She had a great sense of style especially in her younger days. She was a very creative/artsy person and wonderful interior decorator, that would be admired by friends of her sense of style and would always take pride in keeping her home clean, polished and waxed. She was really a beautiful person, inside and out. Carolyn is survived by her beloved children, Michelle Cruz and Bobby Cruz (Zahra), and her grandchildren, Jason Greaves, Nashawn Cruz, and Mercedes Johnson. She also leaves behind her brothers, Albert Coleman, Samuel Coleman, and John Coleman; her sisters, Shirley Andrews, Joyce Coleman-Brown, and Barbara Coleman; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and close friends who were like family to her. A Celebration of Life The family invites all those who knew and loved Carolyn to join in a service celebrating her life: Date: September 20, 2025Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PMLocation: Cremation Society of NJ, 470 Colfax Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07013. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to a charity close to Carolyn’s heart, as she always believed in giving to those in need. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who have shown support during this difficult time. Carolyn’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.