Joan Coleman Larkins

Joan Coleman Larkins was born on June 9th,1938 in Elizabeth, NJ to the late John Henry Coleman and Minnie Lee Harris Coleman. 

Joan was educated in the Linden Public School system. 

Joan was a true believer of the lord. As a child she dedicated her life to Christ by joining Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Roselle, NJ.  Joan then married Lewis G. Chapman in 1954 and had 3 beautiful children, Lewis G. Jr, Jeanean and Wanda Michelle. 

She began her working career at Metal Textile, Western Electric and General Motors. Joan was one of the first women to be hired at General Motors in Linden where she later retired. In the midst of her working career she married Charles Lee Larkins and began a whirlwind life of fun. With the union of Charles Larkins she gained 5 additional children, Willam, Lisa, Theriss, Teresa and LaSalle. 

Joan and Charles traveled the world together, from Super Bowls to exotic  trips in Hawaii. She had a heart bigger than life itself. Joan would open her door to any and everyone treating them with kindness and love.  If you knew Joan, you knew not to tell her your secrets because everyone would know your secrets by the end of the day.  

Joan had many friends but 4 extremely close friends Esther, Betty, Geraldine aka Jerry and Haddy aka Snookie.  Joan, Jerry and Snookie were known as the Golden Girls.

On Tuesday, September 6, 2022 Joan was called home to be with the lord and she will truly be missed by all. 

Joan was predeceased by her parents, her husband Charles Lee Larkins, her brothers Jerome, Douglass, Lawrence, Tillman, Linten, and Marvin Coleman, her sisters Dorris Hicks and Louise Chase, her sons Lewis G. Chapman Jr, William Larkins and daughter Lisa Rose. 

She leaves to mourn 4 daughters Jeanean Chapman (Flint, Michigan), Wanda Michelle Lee (Linden, NJ), Theriss Green (Elizabeth, NJ), Teresa Scott (Colonia, NJ), son LaSalle Rose (Maryland), grandchildren MarQuis Green, LaQuatta Simmons, ShaRese Green, TaShonda Law, Kia Hardy, Pierre Chapman, Kevin Tillman, Achante Saxton, Nicole Smith, Jelana Smith and a host of other family members and loving friends.

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