Mrs. Coleta Rose Jones, 86 , of Charlotte, NC passed away Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Atrium Health Main. Celebration of her life will be held March 1, 2022 at Matthews Murkland Presbyterian Church 7001 Old Providence Rd. Charlotte, NC 28226. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and the service will follow at 12:00 pm. Interment will in the Oak Wood Cemetery in Chicago, IL.
Coleta Rose Berry Jones (affectionately known as Nani) was the second child born to the union of Henry and Annie Sue Berry in Aberdeen, Mississippi. Within a few years, the family moved north to Chicago, Illinois to take advantage of better prospects.
In the loving arms of her God-serving family, Coleta began her Christian journey at an early age at Woodlawn AME Church in Chicago, her home church for more than 50 years. She was always an active member, growing up in the Children’s choir, Sunday School and participating in youth pageants and plays.
Education was highly valued and promoted in the Berry household. Both Coleta and her brother Henry attended St. Anselm’s grammar school and graduated from Hyde Park High School. She went on to graduate from Wilberforce University, an AME supported institution, where her uncle was the University’s President. From there she moved to New York where she completed a Master’s degree in Special Education at the renown Columbia University. She returned to Chicago and taught in the Chicago Public Schools for almost 35 years, teaching both special education and later computer technology. She returned as well to her church home where she spent many years as an active member, participating in various capacities. One thing she always cherished was a love of music. She was an active member of her college choir, and was a longtime member of Woodlawn’s Aeolian Chorale. She enjoyed attending live music functions (particularly events like the “Do-It-Yourself Messiah”) and happily shared this love with her family.
Coleta was a faithful and loyal friend and was a founding member of the Saturday Afternoon Bridge Club, a group of professional African American women who met regularly for camaraderie, fellowship, support…and to play bridge. In later years the group became traveling partners and traveled all over the world together. She was a devoted member of this group for more than 60 years.
Once they retired, she and her husband Robert relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina to be closer to their grandchildren, Christian and Olivia. They enjoyed picking them up from school, traveling with them on school breaks, attending their music and sporting events and genuinely spoiling them.
Left to rejoice in her legacy are a devoted husband, Robert Sr., a loving son and daughter-in-law, Robert Jr. and Vivian, grandchildren Christian and Olivia, a brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Dora Berry, sister-in-law Mayola Brown, nieces Artie Ann, Patra and Doretta (Ernie), a nephew Henry, and numerous cousins and friends.
