COLBERT, ANNIE ELIZABETH (AGE 98)

Annie "Elizabeth" Tolson Colbert was born on November 9, 1913 in Nottingham, MD to Percy and Alverta Weems Tolson. She was the oldest of 12 children. She answered her call and departed on Saturday, January 14, 2012.

She was educated in P.G. County Schools. She was raised in her home church Brooks United Methodist Church in Nottingham, MD now known as (Myers U.M. Church).
She worked earlier doing days work and J.C. Penney's. In 1935, she married William Harrison Colbert and from this union they were blessed with 6 children: Agnes, Jesse, Mildred, Vernon, Raymond and Sherrie.

She served as a faithful member to Grace United Methodist Church for over 70 years. Her accomplishments and activities throughout the years were: 1938–Present (Member of Grace United Methodist Church); 1940–1996 (Member of GUMC Gospel Chorus); 1960-1996 (Prayed for and visited the Sick and Shut-In); 1962-Present (Member of the Tolson Sisters and Cousins Gospel Singers); 1978-1980 (Chairperson of Evangelism at Grace U.M. Church); 1978-Present (Communion Stewardess); October 1979 (Completed The Program of Leadership Education Course for Bible Study. Received a Certificate from the Board of Education of the United Methodist Church Division of the Local Church); October 1983 (Completed Christian Growth Training for Lay Speaking. Received Certificate from the U.M. Baltimore Conference and completed The Refresher Course for Certified Lay Speakers. and received Certificate for Completion; October 1985 (Completed "The Advanced Lay Speaking Course". Received Certificate from the Washington East District School of Christian Growth. October 1985-1986 (Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church; 1988-Present (Member of the Busy Bees); 1989-1996 (Volunteer Worker for the Busy Bees Hospitality Committee); Summer 1990 (Volunteer Worker for the Tent Ministry at Grace U.M. Church); 1960-1996 (Volunteer Worker at the Fort Washington Rehabilitation Center); Currently (Member of the United Methodist Women). For many years, she sponsored a program at Grace once a year featuring "The Golden Star Quintet" from Edgewater Maryland. She was a recipient of a "This Is Your Life" sponsored by the Grace U.M. Ministry at the Veterans of Foreign Affairs in Suitland, MD.

Elizabeth was gifted with praying, healing and visiting the sick and shut-in. She would receive calls in the middle of the night for prayer and always answered. She always wore a smile and loved everyone around her. We loved her cooking and hospitality. We always enjoyed her presence at our family gatherings and she enjoyed ours. She was the best mother to take care of in her later years. You could hear her praising God throughout the house and that's why he let us keep her for 98 years. She loved to attend Church especially on Communion Sunday sitting with the Communion Stewardess. Also, you could often hear her praising God and clapping her hands.

Elizabeth was often greeted after church but would hold on to that hat. We loved dressing her up because she took pride in that years ago. Elizabeth was not only the "Grace Church Mother" but everybody's mother. We shared her unselfishly because we knew she was special and an Angel sent from God. Before her confinement to the wheel chair six years ago after a stroke, she enjoyed walking long distances to stores or visiting. If the van did not pick her up, she would often walk to the Fort Washington Rehab Center nearby as a volunteer for 36 years to help feed, visit and pray for the patients. They looked forward to seeing her so much that one day she did not come in and a patient refused to eat so she had to come and feed her. A few years ago, Elizabeth became an in and out rehab patient maybe two or three times a year for a 30 day stay and some patients still remembered her. One patient remembered she prayed for him to stop smoking and he later did. There are endless testimonials in her life of helping people.
Elizabeth sang with the Tolson Sisters and Cousins for years. They would not only sing at Anniversaries and Programs but would go to nursing homes and hospitals and sing for the patients. Elizabeth loved singing and some of her favorite gospel songs were: "We Shall Wear A Golden Crown"; Tell Me What Could I Do Without Jesus"; "Beams of Heaven";"What Are They Doing In Heaven?"; "His Eye Is On The Sparrow"; "Who's Going To Tell The Child About Jesus"; "God Put A Rainbow In The Sky"; "Power In The Blood"; "Uncloudy Day", "They That Wait On The Lord" and "I'll Fly Away."

Elizabeth leaves cherished memories in the hearts of her surviving children: Agnes Washington, Jesse (Michele) Colbert; Vernon (Denise) Colbert; Raymond (Vernona) Colbert; Sherrie (Dimple) Walker; Mildred Waring (predeceased her); Sister Katie (James) Moore; Joseph Waring (Son-In-Law), 16 Grandchildren; 29 Great-Grandchildren; and 9 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Her viewing will be held on Saturday, January 21st, 9am until time of service 11am, Grace United Methodist Church, 11700 Old Fort Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744. Interment Church Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Thornton Funeral Home, PA, Indian Head, MD.