Margaret Coleman

Margaret Coleman 

February 6, 1933 – May 16, 2026 

Margaret Coleman passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 16, 2026, in Moses Lake, Washington, surrounded by family. She was born at home on February 6, 1933, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. 

Margaret’s lifelong love of sewing began at just 11 years old on a treadle sewing machine. That passion would remain with her throughout her entire life and become one of the many ways she shared creativity, warmth, and love with those around her. 

As a young mother living in Southern California (Southgate/Westminster and then Chino), Margaret successfully competed on television game shows. She became the top 10-day winner on the Spelling Bee Show, earning the grand prize: an elite sewing machine from Germany. In later years, she continued advancing her craft by upgrading to embroidery machines and expanding her creative talents. 

While raising her children, Margaret devoted herself fully to her family and community. She served as PTA president, room mother, and Girl Scout leader. She faithfully attended her children’s band concerts, dance competitions, and school programs, always encouraging and supporting them with love and pride. 

As her children grew older, Margaret turned her talent into a successful business designing and sewing costumes, drill team outfits, Renaissance attire, and rental costumes. Her skill and craftsmanship touched countless lives and events over the years. 

During “retirement,” Margaret and her husband, Richard, traveled across the United States in their motor home, enjoying time with their children and family while she continued sewing wherever life took her. Eventually, they settled in Washington State, where she sold her handmade sewing crafts at farmers' markets. Though she made Washington her home, she always carried her Southern roots with her through meals of black-eyed peas, cornbread, and pecan pie shared with family and friends. 

After the passing (2008) of her beloved husband, Richard, of 54 years, Margaret continued enjoying travel and vacations with her children, creating more cherished memories together. 

Everywhere Margaret went, she spread love. She embodied a Christ-like character in the way she treated others with kindness, grace, compassion, and generosity. Her

gentle spirit and unwavering love for family left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her. 

Her legacy lives on through her 4 children: 

Cindy (Larry) Johnson 

Brad (Cheryl) Coleman 

John (Tammy) Coleman 

Janissa (Steve) Boswell 

She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. 

Margaret was preceded in death by: 

Richard Coleman (spouse) 

William Orlando Darby (father) 

William Otis Lauderdale (step-father) 

Lucille Lauderdale (mother) 

Billie Jean Lauderdale (sister) 

Donald Wayne Lauderdale (brother) 

Robert Martine Lauderdale (brother) 

Eugene Edward Lauderdale (brother) 

Charles Bernard Lauderdale (brother) 

Zachary Daniel Johnson (grandson) 

Margaret’s life was one of devotion, creativity, faith, and love. The threads she stitched throughout her years were not only sewn into fabric, but into the hearts of the many people whose lives she touched. 

Memorial service will be held on July 9th, 2026, at 10 am at Moses Lake Baptist Church, located at 4334 Joann Dr. NE, Moses Lake, WA. 

She will later be interred in Texas with family.

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