Beloved Cobb County teacher dies suddenly from flu: 'Truly Irreplaceable'

Cobb teacher dies from sudden flu complications

In Atlanta, the community is mourning the sudden loss of Angela Coleman, a beloved 51-year-old Spanish teacher at Mount Paran Christian School who died from flu complications. Known for leading mission trips to Peru and being voted one of Cobb’s best teachers, her death was so impactful that the high school closed Friday to allow the community to grieve.

MARIETTA, Ga. - Mount Paran Christian School closed its high school campus on Friday as the community mourns the sudden loss of Angela Coleman, a beloved Spanish teacher who died this week from complications of the flu.

What we know:

Coleman, 51, was a fixture at the school for nearly 15 years. Known for her vibrant energy, she was recognized in 2023 as one of Cobb’s best teachers of the year.

Beyond the classroom, Coleman was known for leading mission trips to Peru and maintaining deep, lasting connections with those she taught. Mount Paran Christian School officials described her as a "true gift" to the community.

What they're saying:

"She poured her heart into her students and served with humility and joy," school officials said in a statement.

The news of her death has traveled quickly through the school and local community, leaving former students and friends struggling to process the loss of someone so active and healthy.

"She was happy, healthy, always so full of energy," said Harrison Meyer, a former student and friend. "It doesn't make sense that I’m not going to hear her voice again."

Meyer, who traveled with Coleman on two mission trips, said their friendship continued long after his graduation.

"I didn't just have a teacher, I had someone who loved me, invested in me, remembered me and was part of my life after high school," Meyer said.

Friends say her absence leaves a significant void in the lives of those she mentored. One friend told FOX 5, "There are some people who come into your life who are truly irreplaceable. Angela was one of them."

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What's next:

The school will honor the devoted wife and mother with a mass and celebration of life service at 10 a.m. Jan. 24 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marietta.