Ella May Colbert, 100, of Majestic Avenue, Warwick, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, February 19, 2022 at home surrounded by her loving and devoted family.

Born on September 10, 1921 in Culpeper, Virginia, a daughter of the late William R. and Emma Lee (Bryant) Colbert. Ella moved to Westerly, Rhode Island with her family where they were active members of Pleasant St Baptist Church and where she also grew up and attended Westerly High School.

In her earlier years Ella worked as a housekeeper and nanny in New York. She retired in 1983 from Sardelli Jewelry, Providence.

Ella continued her faith journey by joining Roger Williams Baptist church in Providence where she was a camp counselor at Camp Canonicus, she also assisted in leading a girls volunteer group called “The Gild Girls” that served and filled the needs in the community upon the dissolve of that congregation she became an active member of Ebenezer Baptist church in providence where she was a Sunday school teacher and a longtime member of the singing group Celestial Chorus. In later years she became a member of Christ Community church, where she served in the children’s ministry for several years. Ella took pride in her church and loved to drop pearls of wisdom along the way to everyone. She had a great love for everybody in the church and considered them her extended family, who affectionately called her “Ma” and would make her face light up!

Ella was a “Prayer Warrior” for her family and others in need of prayer. She was known to have a prayer box which contained the names of those in need and their requests.

She enjoyed going to Flea markets, cooking, telling jokes, and bringing life and light to any gathering. One of her greatest passions was music, she loved jazz with a good saxophone solo.

Boy could she dance and draw a crowd!!! Another passion was Gospel music, She would sit and listen to various gospel artists after church service for a couple hours every Sunday. Although she never learned how to drive, friends and family could always count on getting a call from her with a daily report on the road and weather conditions. She would also remind everyone to spring ahead and fall back with the time change.

If she hasn’t heard from you in a day or two… She loved calling and leaving a quick encouraging message or just a “checking on you” call.

Ella was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grand mother and great-great grandmother spanning 5 generations of “LOVE”. There was nothing she enjoyed more than spending time with her family.
She had a special relationship with each and every one of them, as well with Wayne Edmondson, Rosilyn Harris and Leo and Ive Mella, also affectionately known as her “Sons and Daughters” along with numerous others who were like her children.

Ella leaves to cherish her memory, and mourn her passing two daughters; Thomasina Colbert of Cranston, Karen Lee Colbert of Warwick, three grandchildren, Steven Neely (wife Victoria) of Shelby Township, Michigan, Terrell Colbert of Pawtucket, RI and Brandi Colbert of Cranston, RI, three great grandchildren, Kordell Neely of Wayne county Michigan, Ashley Colbert and Paris Colbert both of Cranston, RI one great-great grandson, Amir Carter Colbert-Sherrod of Cranston, RI six nephews, Scott (wife Evelyn) of Providence, RI Brian of Worcester, MA , James of Boston, MA, Barry of Cranston, RI, four nieces , Crystal Williams (husband Dwight) of East Hartford, CT, Tara Hall (husband Randy) of Norwich, CT, Michelle Jennings of Providence, RI, along with a host of other loving relatives and friends.

She was the mother of the late Willia L. Wilson, She was the sister of the late James Colbert, Earl Colbert, Russell Colbert, Donald Colbert, Clara Colbert and Willie Wilson.
She was the Aunt of the late Roger Colbert, Charlesmarie Colbert and Thomas Colbert.

Due to the impending snow storm Her Funeral arrangements have been changed.

Her Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 in the Christ Community Church, 224 Woodward Rd, Providence at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow in North Burial Ground Cemetery, Branch Avenue, Providence. Visitation from 9 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. prior to service.