Mrs. Colleen Elizabeth Ewing was born to the proud parent of Ms. Pearlie Mae Williams in St. Louis, MO on July 10, 1950.  Ms. Pearlie Mae was always in the pursuit of betterment therefore as she sought to enrich the lives of her daughter and herself, Colleen was briefly raised by her grandmother, Ms. Blanche Mitchell, whom she greatly adored, until the age of sixteen. Ms. Blanche Mitchell preceded Colleen in death in 1966.  Ms. Pearlie Mae later settled in East Saint Louis, IL and raised Colleen and her twin siblings Monzell and Monica.

Colleen developed a love of God and the pursuit of "truth" at an early age. She confessed her hope in Christ at the tender age of seven and was baptized at Mt. Pisgah Church of East Saint Louis, IL. As a teen, she was involved in the young adult choir and she also volunteered as a Candy Striper at Christian Welfare Hospital of East St. Louis, IL in her youth. Colleen loved seeking knowledge and if you spoke with her, you would hear her always quote that she was a "seeker of truth." And most likely, she would always have a book of various topics and ideologies or her Bible close by for reference or confirmation.  Her journey to spiritual growth and enlightenment lead her to various churches throughout East St. Louis which included Friendship Baptist Church, Emmanuel Baptist Church and True Light Baptist Church under the Leadership of Reverend Nicholson. She was also a great admirer of Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam.

Colleen attended various grade schools in East St. Louis as well as Junior High at Rock Jr. High. She graduated from East Saint Louis Senior High School in the Spring of 1968. As Colleen's passion for knowledge grew so did her educational pursuits. She also attended State Community College in East St. Louis, IL where she received her Associates Degree in Computer Technology. Later in life, she was also enrolled in courses at Phoenix University in pursuit of her Bachelors Degree in Food Science.

Colleen was united in wedlock to Mr. Lee M. Ewing on November 21, 1970. They have been happily married for 47 years. He was the "love of her life" and vice versa.  You would often find them in conversation about being "soul mates" since the beginning of times. Their love endured tough times, good times, rich times and lean times, sick times and healthy times, but mostly grand times because they always had each other. Soon their marriage was increased by the birth of their daughter, Mrs. Charay M. Merritt and their son Mr. Christopher A. Ewing. The two then became four. Colleen loved her family and continued to love the pursuit of knowledge and truth.

Colleen worked at various jobs throughout her life but her major accomplishments came from working at Hunter Meat Packing Plant located then in National City Stockyards near East St. Louis, IL; St. Louis Serum Company in East St. Louis, IL which was owned and operated under the supervision of her uncle, Mr. Charles D. Williams, Sr.; and Ralston Purina Company in St. Louis, MO where she was a Food Science Technician for many years. Although she had many positions in life, her greatest love and passion came from working with the youth at the YMCA St. Louis, as the Program Director for the after-school programs for at risk children located in St. Louis, MO. Colleen was well accepted by her peers and co-workers and most of all her students at the YMCA. All her students lovingly called her "momma C" and her co-workers often looked up to her with admiration for the variety of programs she developed for the youths. With one of her many best friends by her side, Colleen and Ms. Ruby Streate, Dance Instructor for the Katherine Dunham Dance Center in East St. Louis, IL created a lasting, cultivating and exciting enriched after school program for the YMCA that have earned her many accolades and acknowledgements.

Colleen was very passionate about "seeking truth" and knowledge. She enjoyed cooking, the arts and entertainment, reading, dancing, being a great mother, grandmother and most of all, a great wife. Life was not always easy for Colleen. Endometrial Cancer took our beloved from us on Friday, April 20 ^th , 2018 at 5:10 PM at Barnes-Jewish/Siteman Cancer Center Hospital in St. Louis, MO.  Her passion for life and privacy taught us what true beauty and strength were as she gave a good fight showing strength and grace even as her body attempted to fight off the cancer until the last and final breath. Colleen was a soldier worthy of Queen hood. She was many titles to all of us: Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Niece, Cousin, Best Friend, Co-worker, Director and Mentor, but today and for always, she will be first, a Child of God and then Our Queen. For gracefully she entered life and gracefully she departed.

Additional Comments

Life's Journey lead her beloved grandmother, Ms. Blanche Mitchell (1966); Ms. Pearlie Mae Williams (1985) and her mother-in-law, Mrs. Malissia Ewing (1986) to precede her in death. Also, in procession in death is as follows: Uncle, Mr. Charles D. Williams, Sr. (2000); Dearly Beloved Granddaughter, Miss Iman Rashaad Ewing and Grandson, Master Erich-Lee Brown (1996); and Brother-In-Law, Mr. Lamarian Gates (2015).

Colleen will be greatly missed by those whom she loved and those whom loved her. She will also be missed by those whom her spirit touched. She leaves to survive: Mr. Lee M. Ewing (devoted and loving husband); Mrs. Charay (Chester) Merritt (Daughter and Son-In-Law); Mr. Christopher A. Ewing (Son); Mr. Monzell L. Williams, Sr. (Brother); Mrs. Monica (Kenneth) Robinson (Sister and Brother-In-Law); Miss Jasmine Dominique Charay Ewing (granddaughter); Miss Kayla Michelle Ewing (granddaughter); Mr. Monzell L. Williams, Jr. (Nephew); Mr. Collins Charles Thomas (Nephew); Miss Britteny Marie Thomas (Niece); Masters Kenneth Allen Robinson, IV and Alexander Royce Robinson (Twin Nephews); Miss Sydnee Williams, (Great Niece); Mr. Wheeler W. Ewing, Sr. (Father-In-Law);  Mr. Wheeler (Demetrius) Ewing, Jr. (Brother-In-Law/Sister-In-Law); Mrs. Mary (Theotric) Jackson (Sister-In-Law/Brother-In-Law); Mrs. Adaann Gates (Sister-In-Law); Mr. Jerome Ewing (Brother-In-Law); Mr. Willis Ewing (Brother-In-Law); Mrs. Jacqueline (William) Thomas (Sister-In-Law/Brother-In-Law) and Cousins Delores Mosley and Eunice Mosley from Chicago, IL and a Host of many close relatives, family friends, cousins, nieces and nephews, and recipients to whom she was a mentor.