Thomasine Brown Coley was born to the late Thomas and Julia Brown on September 11th, 1920 in Blackstock, South Carolina. 

After the tragic death of her father in 1925. Her mother Julia Brown took domestic work in New York to support her and Thomasine went to live with her Uncle William Debardeleben and Virgie Shelley Debardeleben in Washington, D.C.

During her formative years, she attended Slater-Langston Elementary School, Shaw Junior High School, and Armstrong High School, graduating in 1938. She pursued higher education at Myrtilla Miner Teachers College in Washington D.C., graduating in 1942 continuing her career as an educator. 

She met the late James Frederick Coley Sr., affectionately known as Jimmy. In 1944, they married out of that union four children were born; Laura Janice Coley, James Frederick Coley Jr., Julia Elizabeth Coley-Paci, and Paul William Coley.

Thomasine indulged in reading, and was a devoted member of the 15th Street Presbyterian Church. She was a beloved and respected member of her community who has faithfully sown seeds of kindness, wisdom and prayer into the levels of countless people throughout her care and generosity. She enjoyed traveling and would often take bus trips with the church to New York. 

As the matriarch of the family, Thomasine hosted countless family gatherings at her home where she has resided for well over sixty years. Her cooking was highly sought after by her friends and family. 

She leaves to cherish her memory: her four children Laura Janice Coley, James Frederick Coley Jr. (Beryl E. Coley), Julia Elizabeth Coley-Paci (Anthony G. Paci), and Paul William Coley. Seven grandchildren, Angela A. Coley, Carl W. Walker, Lauren P. Coley, Robert J. Walker, Christopher J. Coley (Sandra M. Coley), Julian A. Coley, Jaya A. Paci and five great-grandchildren, Christopher J. Gardiner, Christopher J. Coley Jr., Chase L. Coley, Chelsea E. Coley, and Channing M. Coley. 

Thomasine will be deeply missed as she impacted many lives surrounding her. Her legacy will continue to live on through her friends and family.