Sarah Geneva Coleman

Sarah Geneva Coleman was born April 30, 1928 to her parents Hamilton Webb Sr. and Jessie Bell Neal in Texas. She was one of 11 children. As a child, she spent her time as one of the youngest playing with her dolls. She played with them so much that her brother Hamilton used to call her sis-n-dolly. Later in life he would shorten that to “sis”, which is one of the names she was known by. She would often share childhood memories of having church in the house she grew up in - her father was a Deacon. Everyone would gather on Sunday mornings to read scripture and sing old hymns. One of her favorite hymns was “Thou Carest Lord”, her favorite gospel group was The Five Blind Boys. She said she was 6 years old when she gave her life to Christ and later became a Sunday School teacher for the children at the church.

Sara (pronounced say-rah by her grandmother) attended school until the 8th grade and then went straight to work. She had several different jobs during her 94 years. Her first job was taking care of the family chores and cooking dinner after school. She was also a caregiver for a German family where she took care of the children and prepared meals. She learned the German way of cooking with Mrs. Joyce. She also worked at a laundry mat in Carlsbad. She had a business with her sister Katherine (Aunt Babe) and mother ‘Granny’ ironing clothes for people. She even worked as a cook at a nursing home. In her later years, she watched many children for different families that needed help.

She had 11 children. The first born is Linda Mae. The story goes that Linda was trying to say “mother dear” and began calling her Maya (pronounced Ma’yay). That is the name that her children and loved ones would come to know her by. Maya raised her children in Loving, NM, Carlsbad NM and would finally settle down in Albuquerque, NM. She was well known in her community. She fed the homeless, took in strangers, took food to people in need. People knew that her house was the place to go if you needed a hot meal. She lived in the same house on Edith Street for over 40 years. That house holds many memories. She took care of her grandchildren. She hosted family members and friends. If those walls could talk, they would speak of the many gatherings and celebrations held there. There was always something going on. She made sure every holiday something fun was planned so that all her children and their children could be together. Family was her focus, and everyone knew that she cherished her time with “her people.”

Maya had a life well lived. She loved, she encouraged, she nourished, she laughed, she fought for what was right and let you know if you were wrong. The bible says that open rebuke is better than hidden love and Maya never hid her love. She will be remembered in different ways by different people. We will be known by the fruit we bear- Maya had a garden full of fruit.

Maya's memories and legacy will be carried in the hearts of her children; Joycie Grandberry and husband Charles, Jessie Greathouse, Donnie Greathouse, Anna Greathouse, Terry Greathouse and wife Virginia, Regina Greathouse, LaShonda Smith and husband Tracy, Gary Von Carter Jr. and wife Tawana. She also leaves 34 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and even some great-great grandchildren. 

As she meets her Father (God) in Heaven, she is reunited with her Father, Hamilton Webb Sr.; Mother, Jessie Webb; sisters: Dezel Harris, Katherine Bradford, brothers; Cleveland, Henry, Leroy, Hamilton Jr, Shotsy, Hodie, Julius and Jas. Children; Eluis Greathouse Jr, Linda Spicer, Youel Greathouse Sr. Detricia Walker, Cynthia Greathouse-Nance. Grandchildren; Jeffery Walker, Geneva Greathouse and Nirel Nance. Great-Grandchildren, Tahir Greathouse and Marcquise Webb.