Mrs. Sandra Joyce Washington Coleman

Mrs. Sandra Joyce "Joy" Coleman “called home to glory,” into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father at 12:20 pm, October 27, 2025. She leaves behind her grieving husband William "Bill" Coleman, of the home, after 61 years in Holy Matrimony, raising two sons, now with their spouses, William III (Debbie) of Johnson City with son Dominic; and Anthony (Deborah), of Huntsville, AL. with sons Nate and Jessie, and one great granddaughter Leah. She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends in Johnson City, TN, Chesapeake, VA, Portsmouth, RI, and Meridian, MS areas. Sandra "Joy" was born to Elizabeth (Godette) Washington and Simmons H. Washington on October 28, 1944. She did not see her father until WWII ended in 1945 and immediately became "daddy's little girl". Her only sibling, Anthony "Bubba" was born in 1947. "Joy's" brother, father, and mother all preceded her in death and are buried in Meridian, MS. Sandra grew up in her family's hometown of Meridian, MS, attending St. Joseph's Catholic Church School, and graduated from Harris High School in 1962. She attended Dillard University in New Orleans, with Sociology as her major. Late in her freshman year she met Bill and in 1964 they were married and have remained faithfully married ever since. Sandra maintained the household and mothered their two sons, while Bill was deployed serving his country. She raised two mature young men who respect and adore their mother, even though they called her "the warden"! Her career covered an array of challenging jobs; volunteer Dental Assistant in the Newport, RI Navy Base Dental Clinic, Title One Reading Coach in an Annapolis, MD Elementary School, more than 10 years as a qualified Home Health Associate in RI, and in MD and finally a Loss Prevention Manager at Sears Roebuck in Chesapeake, VA and Johnson City, TN, where she retired after 25+ years of service. She adored and took pride in her Loss Prevention job and was often joked by her sons with the song verse, “Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do?” Sandra was a loving companion, a devoted wife, and a superb mother. In support of Bill’s service in Naval ships, she readily welcomed and mentored new wives into the lifestyle of a Navy spouse. Upon his retirement, they moved, for the last time, to Johnson City. Joy enjoyed involvement in local civic and social groups, and attendance at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Mrs. Sandra Joyce Washington Coleman

October 28, 1944 - October 27, 2025