1943-2023

Sarah Catherine Coffman (formerly Champion) passed away in Baytown, Texas on February 13, 2023 at age 79 of complications from a brain tumor. She was born in Charleston, West Virginia on October 15, 1943 to Carl James Coffman and Carrie Wilma Brotherton Coffman. Her family lived in Dunbar, West Virginia until moving to Texas in 1953.

Sarah was a 1961 graduate of Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas, and a 1982 graduate of East Texas State University (now Texas A&M - Commerce.) Formerly married to James Page Champion from 1964 - 1986, she was a full-time mom to her sons before beginning her elementary education career in 1985. She taught in several schools in Texas and New Mexico, teaching early elementary and pre-K for over 20 years, helping children in their formative years and maintaining friendships with many of their families her entire life.

Sarah was truly “others-focused,” serving her community and family by coaching soccer, serving in church and school organizations, and volunteering. She never lost track of a friend, and after retiring, she traveled frequently across Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to see friends and family, always with some sort of gift or food in tow. She had a generous and kind heart, was a fabulous cook, and loved to entertain. A devout Christian and member of the Episcopal Church, her faith was strong and she has now most certainly become heaven’s newest guardian angel.

Preceded in death by her mother and father, she is survived by two sisters, two sons and their families. Her sisters are Nancy (Wayne) Hanson of Baytown, and Emily (Tom) Teasdale of Oklahoma City. Her sons and families are: James (“Jay”) Coffman Champion and wife Dianna McFarland Champion, grandson Jason McFarland Champion, granddaughter Meredith Meighen Champion of Niwot, Colorado; Christopher Page Champion and wife Mary Elizabeth Harris, grandson Craig Harris Champion, grandson Allan Gilleland Champion of Basalt, Colorado. Nieces and Nephews and families are Sandi (Stan) Faison and family of West University Place, Texas; Brenda (Steve) Fess and family of Baytown, Texas; Greg (Natalia) Hanson and family of Fort Worth, Texas, and Glen (Lyn) Ragan and family of Austin, Texas.

Visitation will be held beginning at 2 pm, with a memorial service to follow at 3 pm, on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at St. Mark’s Methodist Church, 3811 N. Main St., Baytown, TX 77521. Interment will follow at a later date at Emma Chapel Cemetery in Liberty, West Virginia.

Sarah and her entire family greatly value education and helping others in need, therefore in lieu of flowers the family suggests any memorials be directed to the Texas A&M-Commerce Foundation Essential Needs Fund - Lift a Lion program. Donations can be made in Sarah’s memory at https://tinyurl.com/3uahdx69 Or, by check mailed to: A&M-Commerce Foundation, PO Box 3425, Commerce, TX 75428. Please note “In memory of Sarah Coffman” on your check.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.navarrefuneralhome.com for the Coffman family.