Marietta, Georgia — The Mount Paran Christian School community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of Angela Coleman, a devoted Spanish teacher whose life was cut short after complications from influenza. Coleman, 51, passed away Thursday morning, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, faith, and an enduring impact on students and colleagues alike.
Friends and families gathered near Mount Paran and across Marietta are struggling to come to terms with news that has shaken the community to its core. Coleman was not just an educator to many — she was a mentor, a friend, and a trusted voice in the lives of her students for nearly 15 years.
Mount Paran Christian School announced her passing in a letter shared with parents and staff, describing Coleman’s death as sudden and deeply saddening. The head of the school, Matthew Kerlin, wrote that she “served with humility and joy,” and that her dedication to her students extended far beyond the classroom.
Coleman’s classroom was known as a space of warmth and encouragement, where Spanish lessons were interwoven with life lessons about curiosity, confidence, and character. She believed teaching was a calling, and for many students, her passion for language and culture opened doors to new ways of seeing the world.
Beyond her work with students, Angela’s presence was felt in every corner of her community. Colleagues remember her compassionate spirit, her steady faith, and her willingness to be there in moments of both joy and grief. Her quiet strength and genuine care made her a cornerstone of the school’s culture.
As flu cases surge across Georgia this season, health officials have been warning about the severe impact of the virus — and Coleman’s death underscores the very real risks many families now face. Her passing has reminded neighbors to take precautions, seek care early, and cherish every moment with loved ones.
In the days since her passing, the school has offered counseling and support services to students and staff, cancelled high school classes to allow time for grief, and organized community prayer services. Messages of remembrance and gratitude have poured in on social media, with many recalling how Coleman’s kindness shaped their lives.
Angela Coleman’s family, friends, students, and colleagues will remember her for her warmth, her unwavering faith, and her gentle encouragement. Though her absence is deeply felt, her impact lives on through the countless lives she touched in Marietta and beyond.
