Alberta Marie (Webb) Coffman

Born on July 23, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois, Alberta Marie Webb was a radiant force from the very beginning. Raised in the vibrant heart of the city’s South Side, she was a daughter of resilience and her father’s jazz, nurtured in a home alive with energy, laughter, and unwavering love. The cherished middle child of Albert and Marie Webb (Howard-Moore), Alberta learned compassion and hard work through her parents’ example. Alongside her sisters, Felicia Corrine Webb-Taylor and Mila Eugenia Webb, she balanced their trio with equal parts wisdom, humor, and spark—traits that would define her lifelong relationships.
In 1970, seeking a quieter haven for their daughters, Albert and Marie traded Chicago’s bustling streets for the farmlands and open skies of Three Oaks, Michigan, a small town nestled along Lake Michigan’s shores. Albert commuted into Chicago for work during the weeks while Marie taught her daughters how to blossom in their new community. Alberta adapted with remarkable ease and soon charmed new friends with warmth and confidence. Magnetic from the start, Alberta had a gift for turning strangers into confidants, disarming with her sage advice and that award-winning smile. That openness to change became her legacy, one she imparted to her son: Home isn’t just a place—it’s the love you carry with you. When it came time for her to leave town for college, she embarked on another adventure—this time to Grand Rapids, Michigan where her next chapter would begin.
In Grand Rapids, Alberta continued to thrive academically, professionally, and socially. While out on the town one faithful evening, Alberta met the love of her life, George A. Coffman, Sr. Together they built a life in Kentwood, Michigan rooted in faith, family, and shared dreams. Married for 37 years, their betrothal was a testament of abiding love, commitment and mutual respect. She was the proud and devoted mother to their son Garrett Albert Coffman, whom she would raise with the same compassion, humor, and strength that defined her own spirit.

Alberta also revered her bonus children, George Arthur Coffman II and Kimberly Rae Coffman, and adored her fuzziest children, Oliver Twist Coffman and Baxter Beary Coffman. She treasured her small but tight-knit unit, working to make every moment special — especially around Christmas, her favorite time of year. Alberta poured the importance of merriment, impassioned strength, laughter, and loyalty into her family.
Back home in Three Oaks, Alberta graduated with honors from River Valley High School where she excelled as a student and leader. She matriculated to Davenport College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she completed an Associate of Science Degree in Legal Support Services with honors. She continued her education at Aquinas College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management with honors, as well as a Master of Business Administration with honors from Western Michigan University. Alberta pursued a successful professional career in human resources where she positively impacted the lives of others.
Alberta was a woman of many talents and interests; she was dedicated to giving back and serving her community. She was a faithful volunteer for Junior Achievement of Southwest Michigan as a Classroom Facilitator for elementary and middle students, supported Wings for Hope, spent several years working on various home-building projects for Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, sorted and packed toys for Christmas distribution at Toys for Tots, was a steadfast leader in the Kellogg/Kellanova African American Resource Group uplifting the Black community and engaged in ardent allyship of the company’s LGBTQ+ initiatives. Her proudest contribution was her time and dedication to campaigning for former President Barack Obama during the 2008 and 2012 elections.
Alberta was a fitness enthusiast who enjoyed working out in her home gym and taking daily walks with George and her fur baby Baxter. She and George were travel enthusiasts, both avid cruisers having sailed the Caribbean Seas a dozen times over. They would often host gatherings for family and friends with laughter, exchanging adventures of their travels, political discourse, and music. Alberta loved dancing to her favorite records from Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Toni Braxton, and going to concerts, jazz bars, and local music festivals. She was a fashionista who would always find an excuse to dress up in her finest attire and court her son along to Roger’s, Hudson’s, and around Grand Rapids to go shopping. Alberta enjoyed reading books about personal & career development, faith & spirituality, and historical fantasy novels, particularly the All Souls trilogy. To relax she also watched her stories: All My Children, the Bachelor franchise, Lost, and My Lottery Dream Home.
Alberta’s favorite passion was supporting her son’s & stepdaughter’s alma mater Michigan State University–Go Green!–cheering on the Spartan football and basketball teams from her home as passionately as she would in Spartan Stadium itself.
Alberta built a distinguished career as a trusted recruiting professional and enjoyed a long and rewarding career in human resources and talent acquisition, retiring after more than 35 years of professional service. A seasoned leader, Alberta most recently held the role of Manager, Talent Acquisition – Sales Recruitment Team at Kellanova, formerly Kellogg Company. She also held impactful positions at notable organizations including Meijer, Plante Moran, Chase, and Grand Rapids Community College.

A strategic thinker and compassionate advisor, Alberta was widely respected for leading with integrity, vision, and a heart for people. Known for fostering strong, lasting relationships, mentoring, and helping countless individuals navigate their professional journey, Alberta's legacy is one of empathy, excellence, and unwavering commitment to helping others find meaningful careers.
Throughout her life, Alberta was deeply resolute in her faith and spirituality. She was a member of Messiah Baptist Church and later joined St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church with her husband George in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She loved deeply, laughed often, and brought light to every room she entered. Her devotion, resilience, and unwavering belief in making a difference in the lives of others inspired all who knew and loved her.
Alberta is survived by her loving husband, George Arthur Coffman, Sr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, her son Garrett Albert Coffman of Dallas, Texas; her furry son Baxter; her sister and faithful friend Mila Eugenia Webb of Grand Rapids, Michigan; her nephew Mathew Albert Webb of Richmond, Kentucky, two bonus children George Arthur Coffman II of Orlando, Florida and Kimberly Rae Coffman of Atlanta, Georgia, and a host of sisters & brothers-in-law, extended family, nieces & nephews, and friends. Alberta was preceded in death by her parents Albert & Marie Webb (Moore), and a sister Felicia Corrine Webb-Taylor.
Though our hearts are heavy, we celebrate Alberta’s incredible life and the countless lives she touched. Her vibrant spirit, infectious laugh, fierce love, and brilliant smile will live on forever in our hearts.

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