Mary Edna Cole Colvin July 13, 1925 – April 23, 2012 Mary Edna Colvin completed her beautiful, earthly journey and entered her eternal life with Jesus on April 23, 2012 at the age of 86 years. She will be remembered for her sweet, gentle, and loving spirit and her many gestures of unselfish kindness and care. Her family and many others knew God's love that shown through her smile and tender touch. A celebration of the life of Mrs. Colvin will be held in the Trinity United Methodist Church Burkhalter Chapel in Ruston, Louisiana, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28. Visitation with the family will be held before the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Mary Edna was born July 13, 1925 in Cotton Valley, Louisiana. She was the youngest child of Stephen Life S. L. and Dera Hodges Cole. She grew up a tom-boy with two older brothers Rollin and William and doting parents. At an early age Mary Edna and her family moved to Ruston where she lived her entire life except for a short period of time in Shreveport. She graduated from Ruston High School and Louisiana Polytechnic Institute now Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Home Economics in 1945. She taught briefly in the College of Home Economics after her graduation. She was also employed as a home economics teacher in Bossier Parish for one school year. Mary Edna married C.W. Colvin in June 1946, after he returned from service in the U. S. Navy during World War II. They had a wonderful life and shared almost every moment together for the nearly 64 years, until C.W.'s death in February 2011. Mary Edna stayed home when her two children Jan and Charley were young and enjoyed teaching Sunday School, leading Girls Scouts and Cub Scouts, and participating in all the children's activities. Later, Mrs. Colvin was the Co-owner of Cole-Colvin Insurance in Ruston. She began there when her children entered school and worked alongside her father S. L. Cole and her husband C.W. After the death of Mr. Cole in 1977, she and C.W. ran the agency until their retirement in 1981. Mary Edna was a natural caregiver. She helped to care for her parents and mother-in-law Bertha Goodgoin Colvin, and several aunts who lived in Shreveport. Her love and thoughtfulness was demonstrated by helping others and always preparing food to share. Mary Edna definitely had the gift of hospitality. Everyone felt welcomed and special when they entered her home. An excellent cook, she loved to feed all the family. She was famous for her “Sunday Dinners” and loved to feed extras, including friends and cousins of the grandchildren. Nothing delighted her more than for the family to linger at the table after a meal, telling stories with much laughter. Mary Edna always loved a good story and a good joke, although she had trouble telling one herself! Mary Edna always loved to sew and was an excellent seamstress. She made wardrobes for herself and daughter Jan. Later she made beautiful, smocked dresses for her granddaughters, several of which are now being worn by her great-granddaughter Evie. Mary Edna was a gifted musician, especially with the piano. She started piano lessons in the second grade and was soon delighted when her parents bought her an upright Steinway made of Honduras mahogany. She often wondered how her parents afforded to buy that piano for her during the Great Depression. Mary Edna loved to play the piano as accompanist for vocalists, Sunday School class, and other groups. Later, she had a small organ in her home and loved to play all types of music with her family and friends gathered around singing. She always harmonized in her clear, alto voice. Perhaps her favorite role, after wife and constant companion to husband C.W., was that of “Grandmama.” She loved and adored her grandchildren and grandchildren-in-laws. She was always available to babysit, transport, and play with the grandchildren. She spent special time with each one, and they have wonderful memories of reading, fun activities, cards and dominos, travels, and always favorite foods and laughter. Later as they became adults, she loved to visit, cook for them, and laugh with them. She lovingly welcomed each new grand-spouse into the family and made them one of her own. Her love was so simple and so very sweet. She loved and appreciated the little things in life and was often moved to tears by tender words and moments. All through the years, Mary Edna especially loved Christmas time – the worship, music, decorations, and family gatherings with food and gifts. When her children were growing up, she could remember a request all through the year, and there was that gift under the Christmas tree. She loved to delight each grandchild with a very special gift. Mary Edna was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston. She and C.W. were founding member of the Willing Workers Sunday School Class. She also taught children's Sunday School and actively participated in the United Methodist Women and D.M.A. Don't Mention Age organizations. She instilled in her children and grandchildren a love of God and His Church. She taught by quiet example to pray, read the Bible, attend worship, serve others, and above all, be kind to all. During their retirement years, the Colvins traveled in their travel trailer all across the U.S. They visited all the 48 continental states and especially loved staying in many of the national parks. Mary Edna kept a detailed diary of their travels with description of the sights and daily activities. The Colvins also enjoyed short week-end, getaways. Mary Edna and C.W. were members of the Caney Lake Good Sams camping club, finding many good friends who shared the joys of camping. Mrs. Colvin is survived by many who were blessed by her life – daughter Jan Colvin Hammon of Ruston and husband Gary; son Charley Colvin and wife Terri of Kilgore, Texas. Five grandchildren and their spouses adored her – Will Jones and wife Amy of Lufkin, Texas; Hasson Jones Felber and husband Eddie of Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Kim Colvin Willis and husband Nolan of Bremerton, Washington; Katie Colvin Webb and husband T.J. of Denver, Colorado; and Kristi Colvin Holman and husband Brandon of Centralia, Washington. Mrs. Colvin had two precious great-grandchildren Cole William Jones of Lufkin, Texas; and Evelyn Ruth Felber of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She was eagerly awaiting the birth of another great-granddaughter Aubrey Alyn Webb and another grandbaby Holman on the way. Mrs. Colvin is also survived by her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Bill Colvin and wife Mary of Ruston; Janelle Colvin of Ruston; Thomas Colvin and wife Lelia of David, Florida; and Billie Jean Colvin of Argyle, Texas. She is survived by many nieces and nephews that knew her special love for them. Mrs. Colvin was preceded in death by loving husband of almost 64 years C. W. Colvin; her parents; mother-in-law Bertha Goodgoin Colvin; brothers Rollin Cole and William Cole; sisters-in-law Rosemary Cole and Fannie Mae Colvin Lann; brothers-in-law Herbert Colvin and Victor Colvin, and nephews Tommy Colvin and Hank Colvin. The family is thankful for the care of Dr. Mark Blackwelder, the staff of The Russ House, and the staff of Ruston Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. We also appreciate the loving assistance of special caregivers Dorothye Thomas, Lee Ester Bavers, Angelia Willis, and Sandra Umeri. Officiating at the Celebration Service will be Reverend Jerry Hilbun and Reverend Brian Mercer. Bill Carter will provide gospel hymns. Pallbearers will be Will Jones, Eddie Felber, Nolan Willis, Brandon Holman, Scott Colvin, and Robert Lann. In lieu of floral memorials, the family requests that any memorial gifts be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or to the Christian Community Action agency of Ruston. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com