First and last name?

Bernadette Coleman

Where were you born?

Altus, Oklahoma

When did you move to Guthrie?

Summer of 1986

Why did you move to Guthrie?

My dad found employement at Guthrie Job Corps Center.

What’s your favorite Guthrie-related memory?

Oh man, so many...hanging out at the temple with friends was always a great memory. I'd wash my car then park at the temple and detail it for 2 hours with "Above the Rim" soundtrack blasting! Lol. Edward Stevenson would always give me pointers on how to get my rims to shine! HA!! I always just loved being around my friends...no matter where we were.

What’s the best part of living in Guthrie?

I know I can send my kiddos off to school everyday knowing they will be taken care of. That is everything to me! This was the main reason we moved back to Guthrie. Also, I love that I can go anywhere and I know somebody. We are a community.

Are you a GHS Alumni?

And you know this!! 95 baby!

If you lived here at some point and moved back, why?

Moved here in 1986 from Germany. Graduated in 1995...life happened...school, kiddos, marirage. Lived in Western Hights area for several years and decided we wanted to get back to our roots. We wanted our kids to have the same experience as we did. Moved back to Guthrie in 2006.

Where do you currently work and how long?

I'm at Guthrie Upper Elementary School 6 days, sometimes 7 days of the week. I love it!!

If you grew up in Guthrie and had your first job here, where?

At the age of 16, Debbie Prather gave me my first job as a waitress at Stables Cafe. She was adamant about counting money back to customers. She taught me the importance of it and I still do it to this day. Thank you Debbie!

Do you have family here?

YES! There is this guy...people call him Heady. But I call him Greg. My boo, my sweetie. My husband for going on 14 fun years. We have three love blessings... Kenneth, Zale and Nia. Our awesome parents live here as well...Omi and Esther. They have been such a blessing to us. So helpful whenever needed!

berny black guthrie america tee on brick street..jpg

How did you first hear or learn about the Guthrie America brand?

I can't remember the first time I heard about GA. It's was way before any shirt was made or before people actually used the word GuthrieAmerica in a sentence. See...my husband "Heady" has a brain that never shuts off. He has a new idea every day! So TBH... I don't know??

What do you think about the GA brand?

My answer is a little different than most people. Most only see that aftermath of it all. My experience was to see GA grow from the beginning. It's really cool to see something my husband is so passionate about being shared with so many. When I see GA I see love. I see all the long hours that was put behind the growth of GA. I see all the prayers that have been said for our little GA town. When I see GA, I see a blessing.

Why do you wear GuthrieAmerica Tee?

I'm proud to be a GuthrieAmerican! I like when people ask about the shirt or have questions.

What are your favorite things to do in Guthrie?

I'm a home body so this question shouldn't count. Lol... But I like bike riding with my family thru town. Playing tennis at the High School. The courts are fabulous BTW. Sunday mornings are my favorite though. Hanging out with my NORTHchurch Guthrie fam is always a fun time.

If someone asked you why they should move to Guthrie, what would your answer be?

We are a community. We are home. We are growing. Yes other towns have some of the same qualities but when people ask me about Guthire I can be honest and not sugar coat things. No we aren't perfect.. no town is. But we have so much potential and I am excited to be a part of it! I also say that you have to be intentional. Don't expect things to happen if you aren't willing to put in some work. That's what makes our community great! There are so many serving hearts here.

We know Guthrie is awesome but tell us one thing you would change about it?

I'd like to see people embrace change better. In order for us to grow we have to make changes. Instead of picking out all the bad, mention the good too. A complaint should be followed with a question...how can I help to make "so and so" better? Offer a solution!

Also, a Chick-Fil-Lay wouldn't be bad either! I'm just saying.