Dr. Lerita Marie Coleman Brown

OBITUARY LERITA COLEMAN BROWN APRIL 27, 1953 TO DECEMBER 12, 2025 Lerita Marie Coleman was born on April 27, 1953, in Pasadena, California. She was the second of five children: Leroy Frank, Clarence Theodore, Andre, and Lisa Lynette. She was raised in Pasadena and later, Altadena, California. Lerita earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University. While completing her doctoral studies, she underwent open-heart surgery—an experience that reflected her extraordinary resilience and determination. She inspired countless students as a professor at the University of Michigan, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Colorado. Early in her career, she was a Fellow at Stanford University’s Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. She was quite proud of balancing her academic and career achievements with her journey through the numerous medical advances that extended her life. Just over a decade after her open-heart surgery, while living in Colorado, she received a heart transplant. She remained deeply grateful to her donor, Jody Goetz, and her family, honoring them always for the life-saving gift that extended her journey. On August 21, 1999, Lerita married the love of her life, Columbus and moved to Georgia. Together they were a beautiful team and shared a rich life filled with cooking, beekeeping, nature walks, the arts, travel and culinary adventures. They frequently traveled together in support of each other’s professional endeavors and visiting family. Through her marriage, Lerita gained a beloved son and daughter, whom she embraced with intention and deep care, offering encouragement and unwavering support. In 2000 Lerita became Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Agnes Scott College. During her tenure she also held a range of fulfilling positions including Chair of the Psychology Department and Director of the Science Center for Women, which included the Generating Excellence in Math and Sciences Program (GEMS) and the PostBaccalaureate Pre-Med Program. In 2013, she retired as the Ayse I. Carden Distinguished Professor Emerita of Psychology. Lerita was blessed and honored to receive a kidney transplant from her Agnes Scott colleague, Jennifer Lund. This extraordinary gift from her “kidney sister” extended the quality of her life an additional twenty years. Always a spiritual seeker, Lerita graduated from the Spiritual Director Program at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. Throughout her retirement, she served as a spiritual director/companion, retreat leader, author and speaker. Guided by Spirit, that she lovingly named “Sophia”—her practice included seekers from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds. Lerita also pursued her gifts as an author, publishing When the Heart Speaks Listen: Discovering Inner Wisdom in 2019. Following her own inner wisdom, Lerita immersed herself in the life and works of Howard Thurman which inspired her second book: What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Journey with Howard Thurman in 2023. This book has already become a classic, inviting readers across many faith traditions to deepen both their spiritual lives and their commitment to action. Through her study of Thurman, Lerita came to recognize her own mysticism. Lerita found great joy in the rhythms of everyday life. Her hobbies included sewing, watching college football, reading, and making popcorn. She delighted in calling herself a culinary chemist and took pleasure in great food, music, dance, communing with nature, collecting tea pots and sharing tea with friends. She also made the absolute best brownies. Early Friday morning on December 12, 2025, Lerita transitioned peacefully at home accompanied by her husband and daughter. Lerita leaves behind, her devoted husband, Columbus Hall Brown, Sr., son Columbus Hall Brown II, daughter Camille Marie Brown, grandson Jordan Amari Brown, sister Lisa Lynette Wells, “kidney sister” Jennifer Lund, and a host of godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends

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Dr. Lerita Marie Coleman Brown

April 27, 1953 - December 12, 2025