Bess Thomas Coleman Obituary (1924

Our sweet mother, Bess Thomas Coleman, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2020, in Orem, Utah. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 15, 1924, to Milton Howard and Fern Foote Thomas. She married Ray Cassell Coleman on August 29, 1942. She was a long-time resident of Provo. Besides being a devoted wife and loving mother, she also developed and directed a pre-school in her home for seventeen years. Because she grew up during the depression, Bess learned how to help others, to be frugal, and to have compassion for those in need. She carried these qualities with her throughout her entire life, always giving and sacrificing for others. Mom appreciated all the beauty and artistic value around her. She enjoyed oil painting, water coloring, and sketching and shared her talents with family and the pre-school children she so devotedly taught. Her former students frequently returned to “Teacher Bess” to remind her of the impact she had on their lives. Bess raised five children and was a superb homemaker, who always welcomed everyone to her home. We children remember things like the aroma of homemade bread baking as we came home from school and Mom always humming while she worked. Mom always doted on her children. She served family members and neighbors alike in their times of need, fixing meals, taking care of the sick, or being the comforter. She not only was the model mom, but she became the model grandmother. She loved to spoil and adore each spirit. Mom was a loyal and loving wife to dad. Dad’s shift work required that she find creative ways to keep children quiet while he slept, and it was her way to support him in his work. She was a member of the Provo Police Officer Wives Association. She was a happy companion to him as they camped in their favorite spot at Singletree in Wayne County. She was the creative mastermind of many of the projects dad made in his woodshop. Bess was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in a variety of positions. She conveyed her personal faith and strength to her children, and taught them to do their best at everything they did. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; son-in-law, Julius J. Bernardi; brothers, Howard, Robert, Craig, and Maury Thomas; sisters, Nena Gail Thomas and Fay T. Perry; and her parents. She is survived by her children, Claudia (Jack) Reid, Paula Bernardi, Sam (Linda) Coleman, Kelly Coleman, and Jody Coleman; 10 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. The family expresses a special thank you to Jourdan, Erika, and Laurie for their loving care in Mom’s time of need. Mom will live in our hearts forever. Godspeed, sweet angel mother. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 13, 2020 at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State Street, Provo. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.