I, Marilyn Coleman Graham was born on June 3, 1945 to the parents of Paul and Gladys Coleman Sr. at 2210 East 40th Street in Cleveland, Ohio.  I attended R.B. Hayes elementary school.  I loved school and reading, my mother made sure I was dressed beautifully everyday for school.  My mother remade my sister Joanne’s and my clothes from clothing my father brought home from the foundry where he was employed.

After leaving R.B. Hayes I attended Central Junior High and went on to John Hay High School where I studied business.  After high school I went to Cleveland Business College where I studied Stenographer and Secretarial skills.  I later went on to Cuyahoga Community College where I received an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.

I gave my life to Christ at the age of 17 and later at the age of 20 I attended Holy Tabernacle of God under the leadership of Pastor Gladys Peterson where I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and was dedicated to the word of God.  One of my favorite songs was “Precious Lord Take My Hand.”

While I was completing my college courses I worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital in the Dietary department preparing meals for patients.  I later went on to work for Penton Publishing Company as a secretary where I received great training for my future.  I was a dedicated worker on my job.

I later decided to apply for the Civil Service test and passed.  I was hired by the Government and in 1969, I was placed in a position with the IRS department. Later, I moved on to the Social Security department, and lastly transferred to the Coast Guard in 1985 where I retired in September of 2019 with over 40 years of service.  In between getting married and having children I also worked at National City bank before returning to the Government.  I received a certification in Contract Management while working with the Coast Guard.

In 1972 I entered into a lifelong partnership and married Albert Lee Graham Sr. and to this union 3 children were born, Stephanie Ann Graham, Kimberly Denise Graham and Albert Lawrence Graham Jr.

I loved reading books, especially books written by Joyce Meyer.  I loved attending plays at the Karamu House and Cleveland Play House.  I enjoyed going to the movies and out to dinner with my children and listening to Bobby Jones Gospel Hour on Sunday mornings.  I also enjoyed traveling and had great plans on traveling more after retirement.  But God……. knew what was best for me. The treasured memories my family will continue to have of me are too many to mention but I know I have raised them to be beautiful and successful adults, to love and care about each other and to remember to always take care of each other.  I always prayed over and for my family and always told them to thank God for their lives and keep moving forward and don’t look back because God does not make any mistakes.

My beloved husband of 46 years, Albert Lee Graham, preceded me in death on August 15, 2018. My parents and siblings preceded me in death Paul and Gladys Coleman Sr., Paul Coleman Jr.; Leslie Coleman, Doris  Agee, Vera Johnson, and John (Reta) Coleman.

I leave to cherish my memory, my only surviving sister Joanne Elizabeth Harper; my children; Stephanie Ann Graham, Kimberly Denise Graham, Albert Lawrence Graham and Anthony Mario Graham.  My grandchildren; Ashley Lauren Graham, Gabrielle Denise Mitchell, Alexis Noelle’ Graham; My great grandchildren; Ricardo Robert Mosby Jr., Devaughn Lee Johnson, Jaden Adam Tate.  My brother-in- law, Eddie Graham (Lillian), Mary Ann Graham sister-n-law (Dennis Graham, deceased, Henry Graham, deceased. Nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Humbly submitted

The family