On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Trustee Doris Marie Colston departed this life to receive her eternal reward. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. She was born on April 22, 1936, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to the late Best Barnes and Naomi Coley.

Doris, during her formative years, lived in Buffalo, New York, before returning to Goldsboro, where she received her elementary and high school education. She graduated from Dillard High School at 19. Afterwards, she left Goldsboro to pursue her nursing career. Doris was always an excellent student. Very early in her life, she always wanted to be of service to others. Doris enthusiastically enrolled in the Freemont Nursing School in Washington, D.C.

Doris truly believed in the Scripture “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She often said that without her faith, she would not have made it. Doris was determined to become a Nurse. Grounded in Faith and Rooted in the Word of God, her dream of becoming a Nurse became a reality. After graduating from Freemont Nursing School, she worked as a nurse at Freemont Hospital for several years.

However, Doris’s thirst for further education did not cease. She re-entered the academic arena in Detroit, Michigan, to become a Nurse Anesthetist. After earning her degree and completing all requirements, she became gainfully employed and settled in Detroit, Michigan.

While in Detroit, she met the love of her life, Freddie Charles Colston and they were married on March 10, 1976. Due to Freddie’s profession, they relocated to several places, including Nashville, TN, and New Orleans, LA, before finally settling in Oak Ridge, TN.

Doris, having previously confessed her Faith in Christ, united with Oak Valley Baptist Church. When the opportunity presented itself, she became a member of the Trustee Ministry.

Doris not only “talked the talk” but also “walked the walk,” serving in the Trustee Ministry for 30+ years until her homegoing. Of those 30+ years, she served as Chairperson for approximately 8 years and Payroll Processor. Trustee Doris truly loved her church family and pastor. She diligently worked as a Trustee to make sure the church operations were carried out in a decent and orderly manner. She received the Hal William Meritorious Service Award, the highest honor a member can receive at Oak Valley Baptist Church.

Over the years, Trustee Doris became known as the “Camera Lady of Oak Valley”! Her motto was “Stranger Danger.” Whether she was at home or at church, “NOBODY” was allowed on Oak Valley’s premises after hours. If she didn’t recognize you, you better keep stepping! This was one of her last trustee ministry assignments until her health precluded her from attending services. Well done, my Good and Faithful Servant, well done!

She was preceded in death by her step-father & mother William & Evangelist Naomi Yelverton, her beloved husband Freddie Charles Colston, step-daughter Deirdre Graddick, and brothers Raymond and William Yelverton.

She leaves to cherish her memory two brothers: Danny (Nadine) Yelverton and Robert Lewis (North Carolina); cousin/sister Shirley (Larry) Webster (New York); bonus family: Deacons Daryl Thompson and Angela Threat; Goddaughters Cassie Heyward and Tanisha Smith-Wimes (Tennessee). Special friends: Dorothy Patterson and Odessa Stewart Anderson(Tennessee), and a host of nieces, nephews, beloved family members, dear friends, and her Oak Valley Baptist Church family.