Florence Colbert

Obituary
On June 21, 1924, Florence Arlena Colbert was born in Henderson, Texas to the late 
Nancy Jane Williams and Robert Allen Sanders. It was in Henderson where Florence was reared, 
educated, and received much of her early church training.

Later in life, Florence’s family moved to Cotton Valley, Louisiana. After residing in Cotton 
Valley, LA for numerous years, Florence then to Minden, Louisiana where she remained the 
balance of her days. She made her final move from Earth to her heavenly home on July 11, 
2023. 

In addition to Florence’s parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ive 
Colbert; her beloved son, Edd Allan Colbert; 4 siblings: Kelly McDonald, Jr., Mary Jane 
McDonald, Joe Sanders, and Johnnie Lee McDonald. Florence was also preceded in death by her 
longtime friend and “sister,” Mrs. Essie Mae Jenkins.

Florence led a busy life as a wife, mother, housekeeper, babysitter, and as youth 
director and an usher at the New Zion Baptist Church in Minden, Louisiana. Of all her various 
roles, gardening was the “icing on the cake”. Florence found joy and took pride in nurturing her 
flowers. What a delight seeing her hard work flourish each spring and summer!

Florence leaves behind to cherish her memory: 5 children: Juanita Garland (Larry), 
Joanna Mills (Billy), Connie Davis (Choyce), Cassandra Mitchell (Earvin), Annette Gill (George); 7 
grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; 2 brothers: Samuel 
McDonald (Ethel) and Claude McDonald; 1 sister: Billie M. Heard (Freeman); and a host of 
nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends, especially Pecola (Betty) who was Florence’s fellow 
gardener, confidant, and additional “right hand”