Annabelle C. Tolson

Annabelle C. Tolson (Collins) entered this world February 7, 1933 to the proud parents of Benjamin and Laura Mae Collins. Eighteen months later her beloved sister Yvonne (Bonnie) was born that spawned a relationship that flourished throughout her life. She spent her childhood years in the Jefferson City, Missouri area. Her mother later married Holmes Merritt. Mr. Holmes, as she referred to him, was her dad in all sense and purposes.

Belle graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri with a degree in Elementary Education and began her career as a social worker. Belle married two men in her life, Lloyd Kelly and James A. (Jimmy) Tolson. Her marriage to Lloyd Kelly blessed her with two sons, Lloyd Jr. (Jet) and his younger brother Paul (Rocket). Following the dissolution of this union, she married Jimmy while her boys were very young. Jimmy helped raise her sons as his own. Belle and James most recently celebrated sixty years of marriage.

After serving as a social worker in Chicago she created the first Head Start program in the state of Missouri. As an active military wife during the Vietnam War, Belle served as director of multiple NCO and service clubs in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

The family relocated to Denver, CO in 1972, when Belle was hired as a Head Start Community Representative, a position she retained for 25 years with the Region 8 U.S. HEW (now U.S. DHHS) that included approximately 100 Head Start grantees in six states. Belle was highly regarded and respected for her vast knowledge and business acumen, that supported grantees’ governance structures to promote the delivery of high-quality services to low-income children and their families. She served as a mentor and model for other staff and generously shared her knowledge and expertise with new and seasoned staff. She also served as a union steward supporting staff as needed. Belle befriended individuals from a variety of cultures, including friends from various Native American tribes and enriched the lives of many through her relationships.

Belle was a life-long community activist, helping elect individuals to political positions, including but not limited to Wellington Webb as Denver’s first Black mayor and Edna Mosley, as the first Black elected official to Aurora City Council and Odell Barry, Northglenn’s first Black mayor. She also brought attention to housing needs of racial minorities, supporting the efforts of Dorothy King, another community activist who brought public attention to the paucity of adequate housing in the Denver metro community.

It is well known that Belle valued higher education. Recognizing the education gap of minorities, Belle made considerable and noteworthy efforts recruiting minorities to complete college admission application requirements to historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). It was not unusual for her to use the family’s personal resources to help students with transportation and other needs to attend college. Her influence and rallying support is undeniable and results-oriented with a myriad of students graduating with degrees. Belle’s sacrifices contributed to inspiring education goals being created and achieved that then became an intergenerational family value. In 2016, Belle took great pride in witnessing the fifth generation in her family receiving college degrees.

Those who knew Belle also know she liked to try her luck at the casinos, never quite winning the big one, but never-the-less enjoying the time with friends and family. Belle, accompanied by family and friends, visited casinos all over the country.

It wasn’t unusual for the Tolson household to have house guests, lending a hand to those in need, varying from days to months to years, depending on individual situations. Always operating from a base of support, Belle and Jimmy opened their home to many, including their great grandniece Thea where she completed her elementary and high school education. In addition, Belle was able to care for her goddaughter, Jessica Helper, for two years during her formative junior high school years.

After Belle’s retirement from federal service, she volunteered with her friend Ms. Carolyn Thompson, helping at-risk youth and remained involved in community outreach. Her advocacy for the underdog often occurred without a need for recognition or attention, working effectively below the radar, sometimes with those benefiting never the wiser. This was quintessential Belle, not out for glory or accolades but a relentless and loyal advocate for others. She was an equal opportunity advocate, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender and will be remembered for her generosity to others, a devoted wife, mother/aunt, with a moral compass to do the right thing, a selfless individual, putting others’ needs before her own.

Belle stayed current with the latest national news and events, ready to weigh in with commentary.

On August 6, 2019, Belle passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by many loved ones. Belle is preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her husband James A., (Northglenn, CO),) her sons Lloyd Kelly (Andre) (New Orleans, LA) and Paul Kelly (Eloise) (Northglenn, CO) great grand niece Thea Murray (Denver, CO) stepsons Tony Lee (Minneapolis, MN) and Eric Cerf (Seattle, WA) grandsons Anthony (Wendy) , (Blumer, MN), Eric Cerf Jr. (Seattle, WA) Christopher Kelly (Williamsburg, VA) and Collin Kelly, (Boston, MA), Aaron Cerf, (Seattle, WA) granddaughter Jordon Cerf (Seattle, WA) her sister Yvonne C. Best, (Chicago, IL), sister-in-laws Betty Murray (Denver, CO) Jacquelyn Williams (Des Moines, IA), great grandson Blake Blumer (Minneapolis, MN) and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Fond memories of Annabelle and expressions of sympathy for her family may be shared using the guest book link below.