Margaret Coleman was born in 1914 in White Sulphur Springs. Margaret completed her high school and undergraduate degrees at West Virginia State. She also received Master's degrees from Colorado State University and Columbia University. Margaret taught for over forty years. She taught grades four to six at Bolling Elementary School and later taught at White Sulphur Springs Elementary School. She was an active member of her local church community and was involved in the local chapter of the American Association of University Women.