Muriel Miner Coleman Bunn; Church Founder

Muriel Miner Coleman Bunn, a retired Santa Paula teacher and a founder of Gethsemane Church, has died at the age of 90.

Bunn, who was born in Whittier but lived in Santa Paula for more than 85 years, died Sunday from Parkinson’s disease.

Bunn wanted to work in Mexico as a missionary when she was younger, said her daughter, Suzanne Duff of Santa Paula. But Bunn’s mother disapproved, prompting Bunn to dedicate herself to working with Latinos in Santa Paula, Duff said.

For 67 years, Bunn served at Gethsemane Church, where she played the piano, taught Sunday school, kept the books and, when necessary, preached in Spanish.

A graduate of the Santa Paula High School Class of 1923, Bunn earned her teaching credential at UCLA. She also earned degrees from the Latin American Bible Institute in San Diego and UC Santa Barbara.

Bunn was also known for trying to raise academic standards outside her classroom.

“Mom was always correcting your grammar or spelling,” Duff recalled.

Her commitment to her students during her 37-year teaching career at four Santa Paula schools was remarkable, Duff said.

“I remember sitting in the car as a kid while she went inside to have a talk with some parent who didn’t make it to their parent-teacher conference.”

Bunn’s grandfather, blacksmith Charles Wallace Brown, settled in Santa Paula in 1880. Her uncle, Isaac Brown, who owned a grocery store on Main Street, paid for her education but insisted that only careers in education or nursing were appropriate for women, Duff said.

At first, Bunn didn’t care for teaching. But her mentor, Santa Paula educator Barbara Webster, taught her to love the profession, Duff said.

In addition to her daughter, Bunn is survived by a son, Thomas Miner Coleman of Santa Paula; a stepdaughter, Roberta Carr of Sunland; and 10 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Stetler Mortuary Chapel from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by a wake. Services will be held at the chapel at 2 p.m. Friday.

Burial will follow at Santa Paula Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Gethsemane Church, 412 12th St., Santa Paula, CA 93060.