By Edgar on February 14th, 2018

    Laverne Mitchell Colston peacefully went to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 3, 2018, while surrounded by her loved ones. She was born July 27, 1933, in Robeline. The oldest daughter of 11 children, Laverne, affectionately called Dotsie, was a motherly figure to all of her siblings. She loved cooking for the family daily and helping her mom raise their large family on the farm. As she had a growing family of her own, she often told wonderful stories of the fun and adventure of her childhood years. As a young woman, she fell in love with a young man she had known since her childhood. A little wink from across the aisle at church from this handsome guy was all it took for their romance to blossom. She and Dub were married on September 25, 1954, and together they built a loving home. Laverne was a very smart, independent, and capable woman that took great satisfaction in her work. Her first job was at the local grocery store. She and a friend later started a business of their own, The Fabric Center, which complimented her love of sewing. Dub often tells about how excited she would be to get a new fabric, bringing it home and making a new dress to wear the very next day. She made dresses for her girls and their dolls, and even a leisure suit for Dub. After her son Alan was born she decided to sell her business and work full time helping Dub in his appliance repair business. Working from home allowed her to spend more time with her family, which she thoroughly enjoyed. In her spare time she loved to create flower gardens in her yard that were worthy of Southern Living magazine. The joy of Laverne’s life was her family. Her happiest moments were when she had her family together enjoying laughter and love. She will be remembered for her tasteful cooking and loved to spoil us by making her famous gumbo, chicken dressing and sweet potato pie, as well as each of our favorite foods and especially our favorite cake. The most defining thing about Laverne was her faith, love, and generosity. Her faith was the guiding force in her life. She lived her faith everyday and was an example to many, but especially to her children and grandchildren. She extended love, kindness, generosity and grace to everyone she knew and loved. Her capacity to love was great and deep and her prayers for those she loved gave her peace in difficult times. When she became sick, she never complained. Instead of asking “Why me?” she said, “Why not me? Who am I to be spared suffering when others suffer so much?” Her courage and strength allowed her family to be blessed with many more years with her. Even in her toughest moments she was an incredible example of how to hold on to one’s faith for strength and peace. She is survived by her husband and the love of her life, W. D. “Dub” Colston; children, each of whom she deeply loved with all her heart, Carol Heard, and husband, Carthan of Edmond, Oklahoma, Sandra Davis, and husband, Dan, of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Alan Colston, and his wife, Ginger, of Many; grandchildren who were her great joy, Dustin Heard, and wife, Brittnie of Blanchard, Oklahoma, Jamie Smith, and husband, Nick, of Senatobia, Mississipi, Austin Davis of Birmingham, Alabama, Trent Davis, and wife, Haley, of San Antonio, Texas, Patrick Colston, Paige Colston and Payton Colston, all of Many; great-grandchildren who so richly blessed her life, Jax and Rowan Heard; siblings that she greatly loved, Eloise Herbert of Robeline, Joe “Junior” Mitchell of Marthaville, C. W. Mitchell of Mansfield, Evelyn Gary of Eagle Pass, Texas, Vernon Mitchell of Mansfield, Betty Jennings of Taylor, Arkansas, Brenda Townsend of Many, Dewayne Mitchell of Logansport; and many nieces, nephews, and great-grandnieces and nephews. Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Mitchell and Arbie Mitchell, and brothers, Ray and James Mitchell. Our family would like to thank Dr. Jack Corley, Sabine Retirement and Rehab Center, Superior Hospice and all of her nurses and aids that provided such excellent, loving and compassionate care. We would also like to thank Dr. Manish Dhawan for his treatment and care that gave us the blessing of more time with this wonderful woman. We will never forget your kindness. Funeral service were held February 7 held at Friendship Church of the Nazarene in Robeline. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Tribe Ministry (a young adult faith ministry for Sabine Parish) at: www.gofundme. com/lavernecolstonmemoria