Michelle Barnette was born April 9, 1959, in Obion County, Tennessee, to Melvin and
Ruthie Barnette. On July 1, 2024, she, one of God's faithful children, was called to a
home of eternal rest. Her journey was complete, and her rest was well-earned. Michelle
was sixty-five years old.

She professed hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Friendship Baptist
Church, Evanston, Illinois.

She graduated from Evanston Township High School and attended Purdue University
until her father's death. She returned home to help her mother.

Michelle's love story began when she was united in holy matrimony to Tyrone Coleman
on September 22, 1984. Their marriage, a testament to enduring love, spanned an
impressive thirty-nine years and ten months. They had planned to celebrate this
milestone in her favorite vacation destination, Las Vegas. Michelle was dearly loved by
her husband.

She faithfully worked as a servant at Friendship Baptist Church, sharing her beautiful
voice and caring spirit with the congregation. She loved attending Sunday School.

Outside her home and church life, Michelle was employed by Northern Illinois Gas
Company for thirty-four years until retirement. She was considered just "one of the
guys" and was fondly called by her coworkers (primarily men)—Shell.

Michelle was a well-rounded person who loved people. She never met a stranger, and
along with Tyrone, they helped high school students with graduation expenses, fed the
hungry, and talked with the lonely. To her husband, she was a beautiful wife and just a
wonderful person—a people person who always wore a smile.

She loved to travel and avidly enjoyed men's and women's sports. She was
knowledgeable of the latest trades and was a sideline strategist. She often discussed
game highlights with her Uncle Robert and acted as a TV guide, telling her mother who
was playing tonight. Her favorite team was the Chicago Bulls, and she had a growing
love for the Chicago Sky WNBA Team.

Michelle is preceded in death by her grandparents, father, Melvin Barnette, uncle,
James Sneed, nephew, Maquis Barnette, father-in-law, L.T. Coleman, and her sister-in-
law, Vanessa Coleman.

Michelle leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Tyrone Coleman, mother, Ruthie
Barnette; younger brother, Melvin Barnette, Jr.; older sister, Shirley Barnette Alexander,
mother-in-law, Asalean Coleman; sister-in-law, Philinda Coleman; brother-in-law,
Norman Trenton Coleman; two aunts, Patricia Wiley and Darlene Cross; three uncles,
Robert Sneed, Perry Thomas Sneed, Michael Sneed; and a host of family and friends.

God's Garden

God looked around His garden
And found an empty place.
He looked upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting tough
And the hills were hard to climb,
He closed your weary eyes and said
Let my Peace be Thine
It broke my heart to lose you
But you didn't go alone.
Part of me went with you
The Day God called you home.

If Roses Grow in Heaven

If roses grow in heaven,
Lord pick a bunch for me
Place them in my Daughter's arms
And tell her they're from me.
Tell her that I miss and love her
And when she turns to smile
Place a kiss upon her cheek,
And hold her for a while.
Remembering her is easy,
I'll do it every day,
For there's a place within my heart
That will never go away.