Mary Margaret Coleman Briley, age 91, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2026. She was born on January 14, 1935, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, to Richard Massey Coleman and Addie Carr Lake Coleman.
Margaret was a staple in the community. A retired teacher, she finished her career at Ralph Askins Elementary. She was a frequent teacher at church and active during her memberships at Washington Street, West Fayetteville and Liberty church of Christ. She last attended with her family at Friendship church of Christ in Petersburg.
A 1952 graduate of Lincoln County High School, Middle Tennessee College, 1957, (Bachelors and Masters) and Ole Miss, 1975, (Specialist in Education). She is survived by her daughter, Mary Marie Briley Goldtrap (Jefre S. Goldtrap), grandchildren, Carolyn Dawson (Adam), Coleman Goldtrap, Audry Hodgin (Derik), Elizabeth Green (Andrew), Leah Yanis (Richard), Allison Goldtrap and Georgia Goldtrap. She was loved by great grandchildren Briley and Daniel Dawson, CarrieAnn, AddieMae, and EvieJames Hodgin, Ollie and Caleb Green, and Maya Yanis. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edmund Russell Briley and her daughter Carolyn Carr Briley.
A funeral service will be held on October 22 at Higgins Funeral Home, 213 Market Street East, Fayetteville. Visitation will be from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM with services beginning at 6:00 PM. Burial will follow on Friday, the 23rd at 1:00 PM at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 5350 NW Broad, Murfreesboro.
Flowers are appreciated, as are memorial donations to 21st Century Global Missions, 2005 S. Adams Street, Fulton, MS 38843.
The family is grateful for the kindness and support shown during this difficult time.
Higgins Funeral Home is privileged to offer comfort, care, and support to the family of Mary Margaret Coleman Briley.
Mrs Briley was a wonderful teacher and lovely person! She taught one of my children! She will be missed!
Your mother was a beautiful lady and friend to my aunt, Vera Stewart, Martha Jean Vaughn. Martha Evans Teenor, and my mother Frances Gibson- they would get together and have lunch once or twice a year- I have some of the pictures from those days- prayers for you and your family
What a sweet lady she was. I always enjoyed talking to her in church. I have thought of her often throughout these years. My sincerest condolences to the family.
You were my dear friend.
I’m so so sorry.
Mrs Briley has been my neighbor for over forty years. She was my daughters first grade teacher and we have loved her and her family through the years. She was such a strong intelligent lady and has always been an example of Christian strength and faith. The way she stood by her daughter’s casket and assured us that God had a purpose in her loss has inspired me through the years. Margaret was always so beautiful inside and out. She always spoke her mind and was involved in the community and the church. I will miss her so much. I’m thankful for the years I have had with her and her family. She is an example of excellence in teaching, character and love. Rest in peace dear friend.