Colette Tolbert

Colette Marie Tolbert was born to Milton Henderson Montgomery Jr. and Gladys Hoyer in Redding, California and moved to Houston Texas a year later with her parents where her and her sisters lived while growing up. After graduating Bellaire High School in 1959, married Woodrow Wilson Finley Jr. in 1960 sand resided in West University Place Texas where she gave birth to her two sons, Woodrow Wilson Finley III and Todd Montgomery Finley. She also won Houston's most photogenic citizen and won a trip for two to Mexico. In 1969 Colette married Sherridan Mims Smith and moved to Austin Texas. From that union her daughter Sarah Elisabeth Smith was born. Colette was one of the first regional sales representatives for the Ralph Lauren company and was a savvy businesswoman. Her career in designer fragrances afforded her the opportunity to meet many interesting people, and travel and live in many cities in Texas and Florida. In 1988 she met and later married Carl Tolbert of Houston Texas where they enjoyed traveling together playing golf and watching their favorite pro sports teams... The Rockets, The Astros, and The Oilers...I mean Texans. They lived on or around some of the most beautiful golf courses in the Houston area and settled at the High Meadow Ranch in Magnolia. For a time, they traveled around the country playing golf at many prestigious courses, and were able to watch quite a few professional tournaments. Colette enjoyed sewing and quilting, as well as painting. Turning a spare bedroom into a studio she spent hours making blankets and paintings for family and friends. Colette was preceded in death by her parents Milton Henderson Montgomery Jr and wife Mary Francis, and Gladys Crober and husband Ralph; and daughter Sarah Elisabeth Smith. She was survived by her husband Carl Tolbert of the home in Magnolia, TX; sister Kendra Willert and husband Mike of Bellaire, TX; sister Ladelle Timme of Tyler, TX; son (Woodrow)Trey Finley and wife Lynn of Oxford, MS; son Todd Finley and wife Jennifer of Mooreland, OK; step-son Kevin Tolbert and wife Catherine of Cedar Park, TX; step-daughter Sheri Tolbert Blattel of Austin, TX; Grandchildren Patrick Finley and wife Candace, Chelsea Finley, Darsea Valli and husband Michael, Kathryn Walsh and husband J.D., Amber Stephenson and husband Marcus, Bailey Dolin and wife Keisha, Emily Morgan and husband Chris; 10 great-grandchildren and many other family and friends. The Addison family and staff of Magnolia Funeral Home extend condolences to the Tolbert family during this difficult time.

Colette Tolbert

December 17, 2023