angie lee coleman bailey
1937-2014
Life Story
A Life Rooted in Family, Faith, and Community
Early Life and Family Heritage
Angie Lee Coleman Bailey was born on July 9, 1937, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Joe Coleman (1895–1965) and Ardell Evans Coleman (1897–1969). She grew up in the Altare Community, a place defined by its deep spiritual foundation, strong family networks, and dedication to collective well-being.
The Coleman and Evans families were among the early pillars of the Altare area, contributing to the church, school, and social life that held the community together. Angie’s childhood unfolded amid the steady rhythm of rural life — long summer days filled with farm work, family gatherings, and Sunday worship at Altare Missionary Baptist Church, where her family were active members.
From a young age, Angie learned the importance of hard work, kindness, and faith — lessons that would guide her throughout her life. She was known for her warm smile, her deep respect for elders, and her willingness to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed.
Life and Legacy
Angie carried the values of her upbringing into adulthood, living a life grounded in compassion and service. Whether helping family members or participating in community events, she embodied the quiet strength characteristic of many women of her generation — those who held their families and communities together through faith and perseverance.
Her personality radiated warmth and sincerity. Angie’s laughter was infectious, and she was remembered for the joy she brought to any room. She loved her family deeply and maintained close relationships with her siblings, nieces, nephews, and cousins, nurturing the strong kinship bonds that defined the Coleman and Evans families.
On July 18, 2014, at the age of seventy-seven, Angie passed away after a long and fulfilling life. She was laid to rest in the Altare Missionary Baptist Church graveyard, beside generations of her family who had shaped the legacy of Altare. Her funeral service brought together loved ones from near and far, each sharing stories of her grace, humor, and devotion.
Though her physical presence is gone, Angie’s spirit continues to live in the hearts of those who knew her — a gentle reminder of the love, unity, and resilience that define the Coleman–Evans family heritage.
Sidebar: The Coleman–Evans Connection
The story of Angie Lee Coleman Bailey is deeply interwoven with the greater Coleman–Evans–Arrington lineage of the Altare Community.
Her mother, Ardell Evans Coleman, was part of the extended Evans family that included early Altare founders and landowners who contributed to the community’s growth after Reconstruction. The Evans family’s ties with the Walker and Arrington families created a lasting network of kinship that strengthened the social and spiritual life of Altare Missionary Baptist Church.
Angie’s siblings — including Essie Mae Coleman Arrington, Minnie Lee Coleman Arrington, and Lela Mae Coleman Jordan — each married into the Arrington and Jordan families, further connecting the branches of these prominent Altare lineages. Together, these families built the framework of a self-sustaining Black farming community that valued education, faith, and mutual aid.
In this tapestry of family and fellowship, Angie represents the enduring spirit of the women of Altare — the keepers of memory, the binders of generations, and the heart of a community that continues to draw strength from its past.
Resting Place
Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- Scott County Times, Ruthie Mae Johnson, Obituary, Wed, Jan 09, 1980 ·Page 15
- The Flint Journal, Spurgeon Coleman, Sr. Obituary, Tue, Oct 15, 1991 ·Page 14
- U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019
- U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1
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