Reginald L. Coleman

Reggie, son of the late Myra Willette Coleman and Albert Ross, was born on November 21, 1969 in Baltimore, Maryland. He Departed this life peacefully on May 15, 2012, after a lengthy illness. When Reggie was just seven years old his mom, Myra, met Vincent O. Leggett and his son Lamarr Vincent in 1976. After a four year courtship, Vincent and Myra married in 1980. From that union Akil Omar was born. The Leggett’s purchased a home in the western part of Baltimore City. Following the sudden death of Myra in an automobile accident, Vince and sons Reggie, Lamarr and Akil relocated to Annapolis where Reggie attended Annapolis Junior and Senior High Schools. Vince later remarried to Aldena L. Pnkney of Lothian, Md. Dena, along with her son Slayton Lamaun, joined the other boys and their “blended” and loving family (a.k.a. “The Leggett Group”) was established in the Arundel-on-the-Bay enclave. Growing up on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay afforded Reggie an opportunity to be proficient in swimming, fishing, crabbing and developing a keen appreciation for nature and the environment. He was immersed in African American history, heritage and culture working with his dad on the Blacks of Chesapeake Foundation, which is dedicated to “bringing to light the many accomplishments of Black Waterman in the marine and seafood related industries.” Music was another area in which Reggie excelled, and he helped to establish the Go-Go band “Perfection Band & Show,” in which he played the keyboard and other acoustical instruments. Their band performed in many venues throughout Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington, DC. He was a Chuck Brown “protégé.” Reggie enjoyed sports and loved those Ravens. Reggie also inherited a love for cooking and followed his culinary passions into the regional restaurant business, working in various capacities. He worked at some of the finest establishments in Annapolis such as T.G.I. Friday’s, Copeland’s, Applebee’s and McCormick and Schmick’s in Baltimore. Reggie moved back to Baltimore in 2000 to be closer to his job, but remained connected to family and friends in Annapolis. He was commuting from Baltimore to Glen Burnie working at the Seaside Restaurant when his health began to fail. But his greatest love of all is his 23 year old daughter, Shanell Tiarra and his beautiful two year old granddaughter, Madison Coleman-Townes. All of Reggie’s faithful family and friends cheered him on and inspired him to finish his course, which he ran with dignity and grace in the face of a formidable opponent. Reggie was not a very religious person, but extremely spiritual and would have endless conversations about the goodness of the Lord. In the words of Francis Albert Sinatra – Reggie Did It His Way. He was preceded in death by his mother, Myra Leggett; father, Albert Ross; grandmother, Eva Coleman; grandparents, Charlie and Willie Mae Leggett; and aunt, Theresa Coleman. Reggie leaves to cherish his memory: his mom and dad, Aldena and Vincent Leggett; a daughter, Shanell Tiara Coleman; a grand-daughter, Madison Destiny; three brothers, Akil O. Leggett (Schwanna), Lamarr V. Leggett and Clayton L. Pinkney; one sister, Olivia A. Lawson; three great uncles, John T. Murray, Joseph Jackson and Theodore Smith (Gemera); one great aunt, Cattie Mae Simmons; surrogate grandmother, Agnes Pinkney; nine aunts, Yvonne Coleman-Bacon (Alonzo), Belinda Jennings, Alicia Cassell, Nellie Smith, Patricia Wells, Lucinda Mason, Brenda Wright, Alharetta Pinkney and LaVerne Pinkney; four uncles, Ronald Coleman-Bey, Malcolm Leggett (Angie), James Allen Pinkney (Charlyne) and Michael Pinkney (Christine); two nephews Akil Leggett, Jr. and Lamarr Leggett, Jr.; two nieces, Jada Leggett and Asya Leggett; and a host of cousins and many, many faithful friends.

Tributes

Reginald L. Coleman

November 21, 1969 - May 15, 2012