Bethany Thomas Coleman

Bethany Coleman (neé Thomas) is the mother of Nathan and Jeffrey Coleman, wife of Jared, and former lover of Jolan Nashoba. She is kind of to blame for much of the story, though you could definitely argue that Nathan went way overboard and it's his fault.

Prequels
Then Bethany Thomas, she befriends and later falls in lust with Jolan Nashoba. Touring the state of California in his van, she learns life lessons, smokes pot, and makes out with him a lot. Then he gets possessed by Kwann, and either she or Victoria's mom offs him. Sarah Ulery hasn't decided yet. After Jolan's death, Bethany is emotionally damaged enough to wed failed insurance salesman Jared Coleman. They have two lovely sons.

Death
Traumatized by her yearlong van ride, Bethany seems to think she is Kwann's next target. She grabs Nathan, apparently her favorite child, and puts him in the family minivan to drive them to safety, I guess just ignoring her husband and youngest son. She crashes the van into a pole in panic and dies in front of her horrified preteen son, which causes him to become severely fucked up.

Legacy
Nathan's insanity is the crowning achievement of Bethany's legacy. Her death is also responsible for the Brew, as well as the Brew Civil War.