Barbara Ann Coffman Krause passed away July 26, 2018 after a yearlong battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Lorraine Coffman; and her son, Charles Travers (Travis) Krause. Barbara is survived by her husband of almost 49 years, Charles F. Krause; son, John Bradley (Brad) Krause (Tammy) Summerfield, Florida; grandson, Zander Xavier Krause; and sister, Janice Marie Edwards of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Barbara was born to Allen and Lorraine Coffman on May 24, 1947 in Louisville, Kentucky. She grew up in the Catholic faith and attended St. James Church and School, was a 1965 Graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, and a 1969 Graduate of Bellarmine-Ursuline College, all in Louisville. Her first job was an English teacher at Louisville Trinity High School in 1969-70 and she was one of the first female faculty members of that all boys high school. Barbara and Charles were married in 1969 and soon moved away to Virginia Beach when Charles entered active naval service. There, she taught elementary school at St. Gregory the Great Parish for several years, preferring later to be mother to her two sons. They moved to Williamsburg, Virginia in 2003.
Babs (her preferred moniker) was an active and avid sportsperson. Her first love was tennis from a young age and she enjoyed a good slam as much as anything. She took up golf (could beat Charlie anytime she wished), and enjoyed a trip to the ski slopes. She did not shy away from new experiences, later in life developing an interest in stock trading and took on with fervor learning the intricacies of personal computers, stock charts, and statistics. It was a little scary but honestly fun to watch.
Babs faced multiple challenges with her illness. She was resolute and took them with grace and courage. Her first reaction was "quality, not quantity". She was doing this her way.
Her remains are to be scattered next to Travis. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in memory of herself and Travis.
Mass will be offered at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 2 at St. Bede Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Rd., Williamsburg. A reception will follow. Inurnment will take place at 4:00 PM at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 1333 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg. Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.
