Celebrating the Life of Geneva Hamilton Coles

Mrs. Geneva Rose Hamilton Coles was called to her heavenly home on March 2, 2012 after complications related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ended her earthly life.  Funeral services will be held at Geneva's home church, Ebenezer CME in South Boston, VA on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 1:00pm.  Senior Bishop Thomas Hoyt will officiate and Bishop Thomas Brown will deliver the eulogy.  Funeral services are being provided by Jeffress Funeral Home in South Boston.

In addition, a Memorial Service will be held at West Mitchell CME Church in Atlanta, GA on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 7:00pm.  Bishop Kenneth Carter will officiate and Bishop L.L. Reddick III will deliver the eulogy.

Geneva and her husband who preceded her in death, Bishop Joseph C. Coles, Jr., spent more than 40 years together in marriage and ministry.  After serving as pastor in South Boston, VA, Cleveland, OH and New York City, Rev. Coles was elected to the Episcopacy and was assigned to the 6th Episcopal District, comprising of Georgia and Jamaica.  The Sixth District didn’t just get a new bishop, they received a dynamo with the arrival of Lady Coles.  She touched many lives during the four decades she served the people of the CME Church prior to retiring in 1994.  Geneva spent the past 18 years in South Boston, surrounded by her devoted family and a community of loyal and loving friends.  She returned to Ebenezer, where she first met Joe Coles in 1950, and worshipped alongside her brother, Levi and sister, Vivian.  There, she remained active in building God's Kingdom by nurturing the young adults and freely sharing that divine smile.

Geneva leaves to cherish her memory an adoring family, Rubie G. Coles of Washington, D.C.,  Jocelyn C. Wheaton and her husband, David L. Wheaton of Mableton, GA, her son, Joseph C. Coles III and his wife Delitha Morrow Coles of Marietta, GA; four loving grandchildren, David Wheaton, Jr., Janice Wheaton, Joseph Coles IV and Jonathan M. Coles; three sisters: Mrs. Emily Driggins of Baldwin, NY, Mrs. Ann Nelson of Memphis, TN and Mrs. Vivian Clark of South Boston, VA; a brother, Mr. Levi Hamilton, Sr. and his wife Amelia Hamilton.  

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider sending donations in memory of Geneva Hamilton Coles to either the

·        National MS Society, Central VA Chapter
         4200 Innslake Dr.; Ste. 301
         Glen Allen, VA 23060 or an online donation can be made by clicking here:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Events/VARChapter?pxfid=287306&fr_id=7436&pg=fund

or
·        Ebenenzer CME Church Young Adult Ministry
         Rev. Andre Williamson, Pastor
         2309 N. Main Street
         South Boston, VA 24592

Expressions of sympathy may be mailed to the family: Ms. Rubie G. Coles, 6203 8th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 or via email to josephcoles3@yahoo.com

[This information was received by Bishop L.L. Reddick III from Mr. Joseph Coles III.]