In memoriam: Elbert W. Colston

Elbert Wayne Colston, 84, passed away at home surrounded by family, on February 15, 2023 in Oak Ridge, NC. Elbert was born on December 11, 1938, in Cardwell, MO, to Price and Gladys (Lowe) Colston.

Elbert graduated from Hadley Technical High School in St. Louis, MO. He met his wife Carolyn in St. Louis, and they were married on August 26, 1957, in Corinth, Mississippi. Elbert and Carolyn were happily married for 65 years.

In 1961, Elbert and Carolyn moved to Los Alamos, NM, where Elbert began a new job at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Their two oldest children were born during this time. In 1966, Elbert and Carolyn moved to Las Cruces, NM, for Elbert to attend New Mexico State University. After completing his bachelor’s degree in mechanical Engineering, they returned to Los Alamos where Elbert again worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Their two youngest children were born after they returned to Los Alamos.

Elbert later returned to school at the University of New Mexico and completed his MBA in Business Management. In 1988, Elbert and Carolyn moved to Raleigh, NC, where Elbert began a new job with Kennametal Inc. Elbert and Carolyn retired to Lake Gaston, NC, in 1999. Elbert was a devoted family man and an avid fisherman. He found great joy in fishing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

While living at Lake Gaston, they worshipped with the Roanoke Rapids Church of Christ. In 2009, Elbert and Carolyn moved to Gibsonville, NC to be closer to family. Elbert was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and devoted his life to serving God. Elbert served the congregation in Los Alamos as an elder, he taught bible classes at all age levels and oversaw the educational programs. He also served as a teacher at the Roanoke Rapids Church of Christ and served as an elder and teacher at Mebane Street Church of Christ in Burlington until his passing.

Elbert was preceded in death by his parents, Price and Gladys Colston, his brothers, William and Bobby Colston and his sister Shelby Brown.

He is survived by his loving wife Carolyn and his children, Michael of Raleigh, NC, Sherilyn Robinson (Richard) Colorado City, CO, Kara Warner (Jason), Oak Ridge, NC, and Robert (Regan), Phoenix, AZ. Elbert is also survived by his sisters, Judy Riegert and Debbie Jenkins, of St. Louis, MO, a special cousin that he loved as a sister, Linda Hicks, of St. Louis, MO, 8 grandchildren: Joey Robinson, Jessi Robinson, James Robinson, Bailey Maple (Ryan), Kendall Warner, Andrew Warner, Christian Weare, and Aiden Colston, 4 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mebane St. Church of Christ, PO Box 380, Burlington, NC 27217, or to AuthoraCare Collective, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro,
NC 27405.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 25th at 11 AM at Mebane Street Church of Christ, Burlington, NC.