Jeanne Denise Coleman was born on May 12, 1948, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Pastor Edgar Lee Robinson and Iago Osgood Robinson. She peacefully passed away on June 11, 2025, in Mint Hill, North Carolina.
A proud “preacher’s kid” and only child, Jeanne accepted Christ at a young age and carried her faith with humor and wisdom. She spent her early years in Gary, just blocks away from the Jackson Five, before relocating with her family to San Diego, California, in the early 1960s when her father was called to pastor his own church.
She attended Memorial Junior High School before graduating from San Diego High School with her diploma. She later met her first love, Clarence “Jack” Pearson, Jr. The two were married in 1968 and welcomed a daughter, Kimberly Rochelle. In 1980, Jeanne married Kendall Lennie Coleman, and together they raised their son, Kevane La’Marr.
Known affectionately as “JJ,” “Jay,” and “Mama C,” Jeanne was the life of every party.
She was a talented first baseman on an all-Black women’s softball team and loved to dance and play racquetball. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from United States International University and a Master’s Degree in Education from San Diego State University. Jeanne built a distinguished career with the San Diego City School District, where she taught Physical Education, Social Studies, English, and History, and at one time served as the softball coach for Mission Bay High School. She was a longtime team member at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, where she worked for 41 years and was recognized for her outstanding contributions.
Jeanne was known for her generous heart, funny personality, and commitment to helping others. She often shared meals, offered shelter, and gave advice freely. She lived by the motto: “You’d better do what you can while you can.”
She was preceded in death by her parents and one infant sibling.
She is survived by her daughter Kimberly (Ricky) of Indian Trail, NC, her son Kevane of Valley Center, CA, and a host of relatives, friends, and coworkers. Special lifelong friends include Mrs. Margaret Carter and family, Ms. Era Turner and family, Ms. Shirley Austin and family, Mrs. Kathy McCray and family, and Mrs. DeSha Walker and family.
Service will be held at 12:00 PM followed by the interment at 2:00 PM (graveside) on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Black Faculty and Staff Association at California State University San Marcos at https://bit.ly/4l5YsBA or to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://bit.ly/4nausGw.
