Emily J. Colburn

The Baltimore Sun

Emily J. Colburn, a retired Department of the Navy worker who was active in Eastern Star affairs, died Monday of heart failure at Union Memorial Hospital.

The former longtime Edmondson Village resident was 95.

Emily Jane Brent was born in Baltimore and raised on George Street and Harlem Avenue.

After graduating from Douglass High School, she attended what is now Coppin State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1928.

She worked as a schoolteacher and for the U.S. Post Office before taking a job in 1934 with the Navy's regional finance center in Washington. She retired in 1973.

Mrs. Colburn was a lifelong member of Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she helped establish The Legion and served on the trustee and missionary boards.

She had held positions in the Queen of Sheba Chapter 3 of the Order of the Eastern Star Prince Hall affiliation, Rosa J. Richardson Court 7, Heroines of Jericho, Queen Esther Assembly, Jerusalem Court 1, Daughters of Iris, and the Order of the Golden Circle.

Her husband of 65 years, Abraham Colburn, died in 1997.

She enjoyed traveling, crossword puzzles and playing pinochle.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. today at her church, 1130 W. Lexington St.

Surviving are a son, Donald E. Colburn of Baltimore; a brother, William A. Brent of Baltimore; a sister, Mary Brent McPherson of Baltimore; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

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