Dr. Marcia Henson Coakley

DR. MARCIA HENSON-COAKLEY, a beautiful soul inside and out, embodied the essence of hard work, optimism, grace, and elegance. She radiated kindness, leaving an indelible impact on countless lives. With unwavering dedication, she pursued excellence, pouring her heart and soul into every endeavor she undertook. Her gentle spirit of compassion touched everyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Born to Solomon and Mary Henson, Marcia grew up on Baker Street in West Baltimore. Even as a teenager, her talents in music, particularly singing and piano, shined brightly. She attended Western and Edmondson public high school where she actively participated in the band and choir. Marcia later pursued a major in Fine Arts with a piano emphasis at Howard University before transferring to Morgan State University in 1971 to study early childhood education. Upon graduation, she taught third grade students, dedicating three years of her life to Gardenville Elementary in northeast Baltimore. In 1972, Marcia met her first husband, Curt Anderson, now a retired state legislator. Together, they welcomed two children, Ambre Michele and Curtis Ian. As a mother, she instilled in them the values of education and hard work. In the 1980s, Marcia embarked on a remarkable journey of self-reinvention, transitioning careers and enrolling in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Her perseverance paid off, and she graduated in 1987. Courageously, she established her own dental practice in Woodlawn, serving the community for 30 years until her retirement in 2021. Her patients experienced firsthand her kindheartedness, as she treated them with compassion, complemented by an infectious sense of humor and a gentle touch that put them at ease. Through a blind date orchestrated by a mutual friend, Marcia met and married banker Frank Coakley in 1998, sharing a union that spanned over two decades until his passing in 2021. Together, they embarked Obituary on worldly adventures, supporting the arts, charitable causes, and their beloved alma mater, Morgan State University. Marcia took pride in her membership in the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Additionally, she fearlessly pursued athleticism, participating in two Baltimore Marathons and exhibiting her love for tennis with a 3.0 ranking from the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association). Devoted to giving back, Marcia volunteered her dental services locally at the Helping Up Mission and participated in Dental Mission Chitre for several years, providing dental care to impoverished villagers in Central America while immersing herself in their community. Marcia had recently begun blossoming in her performing career, showcasing her love for singing and piano at her parish, The Church of St. Mary The Virgin. She also extended her talents to other churches, birthday parties, and funerals for friends. Ever-supportive of her family, Marcia could be found attending various sporting and academic events with her grandchildren in Virginia. Additionally, she readily embraced the opportunity to visit her daughter at her various acting locations. Dr. Henson-Coakley is survived by her children, Ambre and Curtis (Tishina), her brother Solomon Henson III (Sandra), her father Solomon Henson Jr., her four grandchildren Amaia, Joshua, Jeremiah, and Jaxson, as well as numerous relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Henson, her twin brother Marc Henson, and her younger sister, Jill Upshaw. Marcia will forever be remembered as an extraordinary beacon of light—a kind, loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend, dentist, and musician. Her love and kindness touched countless lives, and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Tributes

Dr. Marcia Henson Coakley

July 16, 1950 - May 7, 2023