Agatha Pearl (Toliver) Coleman

Agatha Pearl (Toliver) Coleman, was born on September 26, 1942 in King George, Virginia to the late Pastor Joseph Edward and Deaconess Margaret Agatha (Ashton) Toliver. She entered rest from her terrestrial toils on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at her home in Staunton, Virginia. 
She was a product of the King George County School system and graduated from the Ralph Bunche High School. Agatha was very active in school activities which included band, choir, drama club and cheerleading. 
Agatha was a charter member of the Royal Chapter of the National Honor Society. In her senior year she was elected Homecoming Queen and received the highest honor for a senior, Class Valedictorian. She continued her pursuit of higher education at Virginia State College (now University) in Ettrick, Virginia and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in May 1964. A couple of weeks later, upon recommendation of Dr. J Henry Scott, Jr, the principal of Central Augusta High School, Miss Agatha Pearl Toliver was hired by the Augusta County School Board to teach Business Education.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Scott assigned Miss Toliver the task of sponsoring the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), and the Varsity Cheerleader’s squad. She held these positions from September 1964 until June 1966 when the schools were integrated.
Mrs. Coleman had a stellar teaching career which expanded 40 years and had the honor of being selected as “Teacher of the Year” on three distinct occasions in 1965, 1989 and in 2006.  After serving as a business teacher at Central Augusta High School for 2 years, and Fort Defiance High School for 3 years, she was a fifth grade teacher at Beverly Manor Elementary School for 35 years. Mrs. Coleman was nominated by students in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 to receive the recognition in Who’s Who Among American’s Teachers. The nominations were made by students who attended Buffalo Gap High School and had previously been in Mrs. Coleman’s fifth grade class.
During her years as a teacher, Mrs. Coleman was actively involved in the Augusta County Education Association, serving as President for two and a half terms, and 30 years as secretary and treasurer. She was the president of the Valley UniServ District 6 Association Council, and Board Member of the Virginia Education Committee; and elected to represent the ACEA as a delegate to the National Education Association Convention for 28 years. She continued her work with the Teacher Association as a retired member of the VEA and NEA for many years. She was an advocate for education as a “Cyber Lobbyist”. Most recently Mrs. Coleman was the president of the Augusta Retired Teachers Association which included Augusta, Staunton and Waynesboro teachers.
She met and married the late Edward Roscoe Coleman on December 31, 1966. This union was blessed with the birth of their only child, Edward R. “Eddie” Coleman, Jr. Mrs. Coleman was active with the Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association. She was also a Past Worthy Matron of Radiant Chapter No. 109, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliate and an honorary Past Grand Worthy Matron and District Deputy Organizer for the Grand Lodge of Virginia. 
Mother Coleman was a longtime member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she was active in all phases of church life. Her service included treasurer and assistant treasurer of the church; Sanctuary Choir; Mothers’ Ministry and Bible Study. She was a charter member of the Youth Leadership Development Academy (YLDA); Trustee Ministry; member of the Usher Board; Coordinator of Black History Programs; and creative genius of the bulletin boards. 
She was instrumental in the production of “God’s Trombones” in the Staunton community beginning in 1988 and was the Chair of the Education Committee of the Staunton Branch of the NAACP for several terms. It was difficult for her to say “no” to any endeavor to advance and uplift the community. 
She was affiliated with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Alpha Delta Kappa Teacher’s Sorority. Both of which are charitable organizations.  Mrs. Coleman’s motto during her teaching career was Respect + Hard Work + Responsibility = Success. She was a former President of SACAARC, Staunton, Augusta County African American Research Committee.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and a sister, Jacqueline D. Toliver-Hines.
She is survived by her son, Eddie Coleman of the home; a sister, Ramona C. Toliver of Los Angeles; two brothers, Joseph E. Toliver, Jr. of Dayton, Ohio and George T. Toliver of Myrtle Beach; two nephews, Joseph E. Toliver, III and Michael Hines; five nieces, Patricia White, Brenda Adams, Paula Lonergan, Carli and Kristi Toliver; three uncles, Earl V. Toliver, James M. Toliver, and Vernell Ashton; two aunts, Mildred Ashton Holmes and A. Shirley Garland; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025 in Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.  
A Celebration of life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 in the Ebenezer Baptist Church by Rev. Dr. Michael Turner, Sr.
Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memory Gardens, Staunton, Virginia. 
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of her arrangements.