Service Announcements

Mrs. Queen Esther Adams Coles 81,of Charlotte,NC. passed away Sunday, October 7,2018 at Levine & Dickson Hospice House Huntersville. Funeral service will be held on Friday October 12,2018 at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church 2020 Suger Creek Rd. West Charlotte, NC 28262. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and the service will follow at 12:00 pm. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery 1801 Oaklawn Ave. Charlotte, NC 28216.

Reflections of Life

Queen Esther Gilbert was born April 11, 1937 in Sabine, WV to the late Rev. Grover Cleveland Gilbert, Sr. and Ida Margaret Adams Gilbert. Queen transitioned at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House on Sunday, October 7, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Beverly David Coles, Jr, her sister, Hester Leola Hill, and her brother Grover Cleveland Gilbert, Jr.

Queen was raised in Harper Heights, WV as one of nine siblings in a Christian home where her love of God was nurtured and became the primary foundation of her life. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church where her father was the Pastor. She graduated from Stratton High School in Beckley, WV and also worked at The Glass House as a waitress where she developed her passion for cooking.

Queen married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life on July 6, 1958. Queen followed her siblings where they relocated to Washington, DC where their first child, Margaret was born. After a few years, they relocated to New York City where two more children, Cheryl and Carolyn were born.

Queen was a homemaker while her husband worked as a driver for the United States Postal Service. After the children reached school age, she also began a career at the USPS in the historic 2^nd group of women groundbreakers in the American Postal Workers Union. Queen retired after 40 years of service.

In 2005, Queen relocated to Charlotte, NC together with her daughters and grandson Gregory Warren where she developed new friendships, pursued travels, became an avid bridge player, dedicated volunteer in the election process, continued to be a sports enthusiast with her family being her biggest passion. She left a piece of her heart behind when her granddaughter Denisha moved to New Jersey to continue her education. She continued her spiritual journey by joining and was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church until her death.

Queen leaves behind to continue her legacy of love; her daughters Margaret Ramos (Angel), Cheryl Warren and Carolyn Coles; her grandchildren Gregory and Denisha Warren, her great-grandchildren Shantiqua LaSonia, Jordyn Carolyn, and Kalil Beverly Warren; her siblings, Doris Leftwich (James), Lois Washington, Joe Gilbert (Mary) and Marva Waller; two sisters-in-law Vendetta Martin and Alice Coles; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She also leaves behind to cherish, a very dear friend Charles Carter of Philadelphia.