Evangelist Elva Leola Harris Coleman transitioned from labor to reward on March 15, 2024. She was born in Chesterfield, Virginia to the late Bernard and Sallie Shands. She was raised in Chesterfield and Petersburg, Virginia and relocated to Brooklyn, New York as a teenager. 

Elva later returned to the city of Petersburg where she attended and graduated from the Petersburg High School with the Class of 1974. She graduated from John Tyler Community College with an associate degree in human services and later from Virginia State University with a Bachelor of Social Work.

Elva worked numerous jobs throughout her life including Richards Wine Cellar, Seward Luggage, Arnold Pen, and Joy and Love Daycare Center, to name a few. She also worked several jobs in the mental health field including Visions, Good Neighbor Adult Care Services, and the Central State Hospital Forensics Unit.

As a faithful servant at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God in Christ, Elva demonstrated remarkable dedication while serving in multiple capacities including that of an usher, choir member, missionary, church clerk, and licensed Evangelist. Her steadfast commitment to the Lord and His people was evident through her tireless efforts spreading the Gospel message far and wide. 

Elva had multiple hobbies such as playing Bingo, traveling/singing with choral groups, cooking, baking, ministering God’s work, and spending time with family.

Evangelist Elva was preceded in death by her grandparents Jasper and Fannie Harris; her parents, Bernard and Sallie Shands; her sister, Ruby Miller; her great-grandson Jahzir Thorpe; her nephews Aaron and Orlando Williamson; her niece Zelda Mcmillion; and several, aunts uncles, and cousins.

She leaves to cherish her memories with her devoted children, Inakae Harris(Towanda), Valencia Harris-Thorpe (Benjamin), Rosalyn Harris, and Juan Harris; grandchildren, RaQuia (Andrew), Stacey, Jerrell, Dondre (Jahliyah), Devonte’, Khadija, Damaius, and Tekiyah Harris, Derrion Harris- Hord, Savion, Asante’, TyVontae’, and Mariah Thorpe; bonus grandchildren, Desmond and Brandon Johnson, Tosheika McIver, Tenijah Clanton, Keymond and Kyephonique Pitt, Koron Stewart and 23 great grandchildren. 

Elva also left to cherish her memories to her nieces and nephew Leila Larose, and Andre Williamson, Patricia Williamson Williams (Clarence), Adrianne Williamson- Burton (Marcus), and Shamika Miller; and a host of other family and friends.

Celebration of Life service for Evangelist Elva L. Coleman will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church of God in Christ, 233 Halifax Street, Petersburg, Virginia. Bishop Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Eulogist, Minister Jacklyn Burrow, Officiant.

Interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery 611 S. Crater Rd Petersburg, Virginia.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the J. L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia, from 4 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

The family is asked to assemble at 2:00 p.m. at the residence of her granddaughter, Minister Khadija Harris, 5300 Jovern Drive, Prince George, Virginia on the day of the service.

Masks are required at all visitations and services. / Service may be viewed by Live Stream at

/https://www.jldodsonandsons.com/LiveStream http://www.facebook.com/jldodsonandsons

Professional funeral services have been entrusted to the staff of the J.L. Dodson and Son Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia, Bishop Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Funeral Director., (434)799-9262.

Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com.

 “Our Family Servicing Your Family.”