Shirley Mae Colbert

Shirley Mae Margaret Saunders Colbert, daughter of the late Levi Saunders, Sr. and Blanche Saunders Foust, was born April 24, 1931, in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. She was called home on June 20, 2025. Shirley was baptized at St, Patrick’s Catholic Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania at the age of 1 year 6 months and moved to Baltimore, Maryland with her parents at a young age, Shirley attended Baltimore City Public Schools. Once arriving in Baltimore, the family became members of the historical St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. There Shirley received her First Holy Communion, Confirmations, and the Sacrament of Matrimony. On November 6, 1948, Shirley married the late Carlton Colbert. From this union they were blessed with 5 children; Jennifer, Carlton, Jr. (preceded in death), Ronald, Maurice, and David. In early 1950’s, Shirley became one of the first Black Catholics to join The Church of St, Cecilia. She served as treasurer on the church school PTA and took part in numerous fundraising activities. As an at home daycare provider, she enjoyed watching the children grow and mature. Many of her daycare children often visited her once they were adults. Through her enjoyment of working with children, she would also volunteer in the Family and Children Services of Central Maryland in the Baltimore Foster Grandparent Program. There she received many awards for her dedication to children and staff. As a devoted prayer warrior, she faithfully prayed the Rosary each day, attend Mass with reverence, and immersed herself in the Divine Mercy devotion. She lovingly kept a list of all who had ever asked her for prayers, lifting each name to heaven with steadfast care. In 1972, she became a member of the Great Southern Temple #30 of Baltimore, Maryland serving over 50 years in positions of Trustee, Doorkeeper, Assistance Daughter Riler, Assistance Financial Secretary, and Senior Mother to the Youth. For these accomplishments, in 1997, Shirley received recognition for outstanding Service from the flesh Club Department of Temple #30 and on September 3, 2016, received recognition for her involvement in the Elka Organization from the City of Baltimore. She was an avid seamstress and made creations with the need of no pattern. In 2004, she received the Black Hero Award from St. Cecilia. In 2025, Shirley was celebrated for her dedication and love to Elkdom and the Community on their 116th Anniversary. Shirley decided at the age of 92 to take her first Flight to Alabama to visit one of her grandson’s weddings. She was an active participant at the Catonsville Senior Center enjoying exercising and line-dancing. A Guru of physical fitness, she often would recommend various exercising methods from standing and chair exercising. Shirley never missed a beat: parties, cook-outs, weddings; she was always in attendance, ready to party and eat. She was lovingly known as Mama, Shirley Mae, Mom, Grandma, Grannie, Grandma Shirley, Momma Shirley and Cupcake. Shirley leaves to mourn: 4 children – Jennifer Traynham (late Wendell), Ronald Colbert (Nancy), Maurice Colbert, David Colbert (Tammy); 7 grandchildren – Dawn Walker (late Andrew), Nakia Howell (Lonzo), Jamaal Colbert (Jasmin), Tai Gibbson (Isaiah), Ronald Colbert II (Breana), Jacoby Smith; 17 great-grandchildren; 1 brother- Levi Jr. (preceded in death); 3 sisters – Joyce Jackson (Ruppert), Angie Waters, Connie Davis (preceded in death) and loved by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Tributes

Shirley Mae Colbert

April 24, 1931 - June 20, 2025