Connie Mae Strickland Colston | Eastern NC Now

    Mrs. Connie Mae Strickland Colston, age 76, a resident of Blounts Creek died Monday May 11, 2026, at ECU Beaufort Hospital in Washington.

    A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday May 16, 2026, in the chapel of Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington officiated by Pastor Neil Cox. A burial will follow in the Charles R Jones Cemetery in Kenly. Pallbearers will be Eric Strickland, Jeremy Strickland, Justin Kemp, Josh Adams, Anthony Adams, and Blade Strickland.

    The family will receive friends Saturday at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour.

    Mrs. Colston was born in Johnston County on March 11, 1950, daughter of the late Marshall Henry Strickland and the late Lela Mae Jones Strickland. She was a 1968 graduate of Smithfield High School. On September 20, 1980, she married Layton "Keith" Colston who preceded her in death on October 8, 2025. She retired as a safety coordinator with International Paper in New Bern. In her spare time, she enjoyed riding motorcycles, boating, and her greatest joy came from fellowshipping with members of her church, Core Point Free Will Baptist Church.

    Survivors include her two brothers: Marshall W. Strickland of Blounts Creek, and Billy M. Strickland and his wife Nancy of Carolina Beach; and numerous nieces and nephews.

    In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks for memorial contributions to be made to Core Point Free Will Baptist Church, 6847 Core Point Road, Blounts Creek, NC 27814, or to the charity of one's choice.

    Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Colston family.