Aubrey Lee Colter, 77 of District Heights, Maryland.

Aubrey Lee Colter was born May 2, 1941 in North, SC.  He was the 5 ^th child born to the late Reverend Clifton and Daisy Bell (née Walker) Colter. As a child, Aubrey (aka "Buddy") was baptized as a member of Jerusalem Baptist Church, North, SC.  In addition to Jerusalem Baptist, as a teenager, he aided neighboring Maloney Baptist Church as an usher, Sunday school teacher, and vacation Bible School teacher. Aubrey matriculated through the Orangeburg County public school system graduating in 1960 from Dover Senior High School, North, SC.

After graduating high school, Aubrey moved to Washington, DC. At the advice of his brother James, he earned his certification as a master mechanic.

In 1963, Aubrey married the late Eartha L. Rivers-Colter. Through that marriage he gained three sons, Andre, Bernard (Clifford), and Prentice.  Soon after, he followed his entrepreneurial spirit and became co-owner of the Chillum Gulf Service Station, Chillum, MD. A few years later, he opened his first sole proprietorship, C&C Garage in Washington, DC. There he became known as "Al". Then in 1978, he stepped out on faith and opened Al's Auto Clinic, Capital Heights, MD aka "The Shop" which has been a staple on Central Avenue for more than forty years.

In the late 1970s, Al became active in the citizen band radio (CB) culture with the handle "Cool Breeze". That was where he met and later married the late Barbara Colter (née Barnes) aka "Lady Wild Flower".  Through that union, he gained family whom he loved and who loved him.

In 1988, Al rededicated his life to Jesus Christ and joined Parkway Baptist Church, District Heights, MD under the leadership of Bishop David T. P. Perrin where he was ordained as a deacon. He remained committed there for over 20 years, serving as the ministry progressed as Church of the Great Commission. He later joined Bishop Perrin at Christ Kingdom Church.

Al was devoted to lending his gifts wherever they were needed. He served in many capacities such as, Sunday School & Bible study teacher, men's ministry leader, mentor, deacon, etc.

At a cursory view, you may think Al's passion was auto mechanics.  You would be wrong. Al's passion was loving people with the love of Jesus Christ.  Al was a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19).  Your car breaking down was simply the "bait" and "the shop" was his mission field. Al is responsible for touching many lives through personal discipleship, prayer, baptism, and his big smile!  He was famous for his sayings affectionately called "Colter-isms" like " the hard work is the heart work " and " you have to admit it to quit it ".  He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Aubrey transitioned to eternal life on Sunday, February 17, 2019.  He leaves behind to celebrate his memory: three sons, Andre Lee (Patricia), Clifford Bernard (Donna), and Prentice Leon; a daughter-in-law, Derenda Colter; three sisters Verzella Seyler (Hank), Nollie Scott (Wade), and Rene Glover (Edward); One brother, Thomas L. Colter; three sisters-in-love, Dollie Colter, Ethel Robinson, and Georgia Etta Hook; three grandchildren, Katrice (Xavier), Keith, and Brianna; ten great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Clifton and Daisy Colter; his wife Barbara Barnes Colter; his grandson Antoine Colter; sisters Hattie Robinson and Lillian Pough; and brothers Elijah Colter, Henry Samuel Colter, David Timothy Colter, and James Colter.

Viewing, 10 a.m. until time of Service, 11 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2019 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Interment, Heritage Memorial Cemetery, 13472 Poplar Hill Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601.