Christina Corinne Chilton Colbert, known by most as Chris, passed away on Thursday, July 20 in Minneapolis, MN. Since the beginning of 2023, she suffered from several health challenges that severely impacted her quality of life and caused her a great deal of physical pain. Her body could no longer serve nor contain her boundless spirit. She knew intuitively long before all the doctors and long before her family was ready to accept it. But, in the end she was comfortable, cared for, and deeply loved. She was ready for the next stage and transitioned peacefully in her sleep. A true blessing knowing that so few of us get to choose how we leave this life.

Chris was born and raised in Saint Paul, MN as the middle child of three kids to Betty and James Chilton. She graduated from Highland Park Sr. High school in 1967. She participated in many academic and social clubs, including “YEP!” which included her beloved high school friend Patty Wetterling. She was very grateful to remain in contact with Patty nearly all of her life. She graduated from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI in 1971 with a B.A. in Psychology. While in college, she enjoyed acting in plays, cheerleading, participating in the art department, and traveling for the Chicago Urban Studies program. She made many friends at Lawrence that she always held dear to her heart, no matter the distance between them over the years.

After college, she loved listening to Prem Rawat, an international speaker and author who shares messages of inner strength, hope, and peace. His words provided her tender soul immense comfort and a road map for how to navigate an often turbulent world. It gave her great joy to share his words of peace with all whom she crossed paths with.

Chris met her longtime partner DeWayne Colbert in the mid 1980s in Minneapolis, where she ultimately laid her roots. They welcomed their daughter Tameka (“Meka”) in 1986 and their son Ryan in 1991. Chris also loved and enjoyed spending time with DeWayne’s son from a previous marriage, Dejaun Colbert, whenever they had the opportunity. Though Chris and DeWayne never legally married, she changed her last name to Colbert. The extended Colbert family fully embraced Chris as one of their own with great love and kindness. She was affectionately known as “Aunty Chris.”

DeWayne and Chris made their homes in the historic West Bank/Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in Minneapolis. As a family, they enjoyed having dance parties, singing along to Whitney Houston and other popular artists on the radio, watching Disney movies, going to Hard Times Cafe, Chili Time, Global Village, Keefer Court, playing at Currie park, attending Cedar Fest, and adventuring to Minnehaha Falls. Chris had a great enthusiasm for life and even made going to Target feel like a special event. She had an open door attitude for her home and all were welcome. The neighborhood kids knew that Tameka and Ryan’s apartment on the 16th floor at Riverside Plaza was the hangout spot and that Chris would always have Cool Ranch Doritos and other snacks ready for them.

Chris had numerous jobs and roles throughout her life. She worked as a resident advisor for college students, as a postal carrier, in a bakery, as a receptionist for Park Nicollet, and lastly as a volunteer at the Minneapolis Central Library in Downtown Minneapolis.

Chris was one of a kind on a whole other level. Her memory for faces and names was astounding and she made friends everywhere she went. Chris knew the cashiers by name at her regular Target stores. She loved buying gifts for people. LOTS of gifts. She had the most inviting and generous spirit. If you landed anywhere within her orbit you most likely heard a proud story about her children and walked away with a piece of candy or a new coffee mug.

Her biggest pride and joy in life was being a mother to Tameka and Ryan. She relished seeing Ryan live out his dreams as an actor on stage at Mixed Blood Theater, The Guthrie and other acclaimed Twin Cities’ theaters. Chris beamed while watching Tameka dance whether it was just for fun at home or performing on stage. She was so proud to see Tameka find her passion serving young people through various education initiatives. Her family is happy that she was able to become a grandma in 2022. It was a joy to witness Chris with her granddaughter Zumi. It was clear that they had a special connection during the precious moments they shared together.

Chris wrote in her “About” section on Facebook, “I love being a Mother and Friend, and doing My Best to Feed and Comfort,' and want to help Prem Rawat in his efforts to give Knowledge to people who want his help to feel the peace within. I have The Greatest Partner and Kids and Family and Friends and Associates! Peace Love Joy Honor and Respect.” As Chris prepared for the next phase of her journey after life, she wanted people to know that the weird things were not her intention and that she only came from a heart of love.

Chris is survived by her longtime partner DeWayne Colbert, her daughter Tameka Davidson (Bryce Davidson), her son Ryan Colbert, granddaughter Zumi Davidson, her sister Lynne Linder and brother James “Jim” Chilton. She is preceded in death by her mother Elizabeth “Betty” Chilton and father James Chilton, and her beloved Grandparents Royal and Mable Moore. We pray that she was welcomed home by her loving parents and grandparents as well as other dear family and friends who passed before her. She loved and cared for many cats throughout her 74 years (Baby-Ted, Mukwa, Smokey-Paul, Angelina, Paddington, Snowball, Nicky, and Muffy, to name a few). We hope that she has been reunited with these cherished furry friends for endless kitty snuggles.

Chris’ family is incredibly grateful to the staff that supported and cared for her at Ebenezer Care Center, Lakehouse Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, and St. Croix Hospice. They are literal angels doing such needed and tender work. This thanks is extended to the countless social workers and supporting living staff for the stability they fostered through considerable warmth and kindness over the years. Chris’ family would also like to share their heartfelt gratitude for the Jenkins and Hosmer families who loved and cared for them when they needed it most.

She said that she would be sending us inner hugs once she’s gone. Being the eternal gift-giver, we’re certain she is also sending food and coffee mugs. Chris is forever loved and deeply missed. May she rest supremely in Peace, Love, Joy, Honor and Respect.

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