In Loving Memory

Sara “Sally” Jeanne Becker Coleman went to heaven on April 25, 2024.She was born August 28, 1923 in Wichita, Kansas to Joseph “Jack” and Ruth Becker. Sara grew up in a loving close-knit family with her two older brothers Joseph “Joe” and Richard “Dick” Becker.
In her younger days she attended schools in Oklahoma and Texas. She graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute in Lafayette, LA. in January 1944 with a degree in social work. She also served as president of her sorority, Tri Sigma. Sara joined the W.A.V.E.S (women accepted for voluntary emergency service) in 1944 after she and her family received news that her brother “Dick” was lost at sea while on duty aboard the U.S. Navy submarine, the U.S.S. Dorado. Sara was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946.
In 1947, Sara gave birth to her son Richard, and he was her pride and joy. Sara and her husband, John W. Coleman, resided in California throughout their adult lives, and they were married for more than 50 years! As a family they enjoyed spending time with their closest friends Lee and Evelyn and attending church and monthly church dinners at Woodland Hills Christian to socialize with their friends while the kids enjoyed their own fun and playtime. The three spent numerous summers on road trips to Santa Barbara to visit family, and attending boy scouting events where Sara even took on the role of den mother!
Throughout her life, Sara’s passion was teaching. She taught school as a P.E. and Health Ed teacher in Tulsa, OK, as well as the Greater Los Angeles and San Fernando Valleys in California for 30 years. Upon retirement, she and her husband John moved to Wildomar, CA where she continued her love of teaching by volunteering for the exercise classes at the Lake Elsinore senior center for another 20 years! Retirement did not slow Sara down! She continued to enjoy all her favorite things including singing with her church choir and the Wildomar Women’s Group Windsong Harmony, traveling, dancing, and numerous social activities at her “Golden” residence in Golf Knolls, Murrieta. You name it, she was there, and she was always ready to lend a hand! As the years passed, her favorite pastime was spending time with her growing family. She became the matriarch of her family, adding to her list of highest accomplishments when she earned the new titles of grandmother, grandmother-in -law, and finally great grandma, proudly calling herself “Gigi”.
Sara will be lovingly remembered by her son Richard Coleman and her daughter in law JoAnn Coleman of Murrieta, CA.; her granddaughter Tawnya Jones and her husband Rich of Costa Mesa, CA.; her grandson Ryan Coleman and his wife Jen of Sequim, WA.; Great Grandchildren Dylan and Kelsi Jones; her nieces Barbara Meehan, Becky Van Luster, and Sandy Hardy of Tulsa, OK; her niece Linda Duhe of Murrieta, CA; her niece Sharon Dunlap of Trinity, TX., her nephew Dan Coleman of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; and her entire extended family of in-laws, great nieces, great nephews, and honorary great grandchildren all of whom she was so proud to love.
Sara holds a special place in the hearts of her family, her extended family, and her friends. She lived a long and beautiful life of enthusiasm, service, and love that has served as a great example for all those she has touched and left behind. She will be forever missed, forever loved, and forever cherished.
Sara’s family would be blessed to have you join them in celebrating her life on Thursday, May 30th, 2024. Her grave side service will be held at Riverside National Cemetery at 11 am. Procession begins at 10:45 am.