The Shreveport Times Thursday, January 05, 2006 Eleanor Johnson Colquitt 1910-2005 SHREVEPORT, LA - Eleanor Johnson Colquitt, longtime civic activist and philanthropist, passed away on December 29th, 2005. Mrs. Colquitt was born in Mansfield, Louisiana, to Ben and Irma Nabors Johnson on May 11, 1910. She attended Randolph Macon Women's College and received her Bachelor's degree from Centenary College. She spent her teenage summers acting as an equitation instructor and counselor for groups of Shreveport area girls at Camp Waldamar in Kerrville, Texas. In 1931 Eleanor married Walter Thomas Colquitt, Jr. Walter was a Shreveport dentist who enjoyed a national and international reputation as a lecturer and innovator in his profession. During World War II, Walter joined the U.S. Army Dental Corps. Eleanor and their two daughters, Kit and Sarah, moved first to Georgia and then to Arkansas to accompany him during his service. Their son Tom was born while they were stationed at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. After the war Eleanor and Walter returned to Shreveport and became totally involved in their community. They were members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, The English Speaking Union, the Shreveport Country Club, Shreveport Yacht Club, Cambridge Club, Shreveport Club, and the University Club. They spent weekends on Cross Lake sailing and boating with their family. Eleanor was active as an actress in and supporter of the Shreveport Little Theater and was a lifetime member of The National Society of Colonial Dames. She was named to the Community Concert Board after WWII, often entertaining the guest artists in her home. She was a gifted pianist and loved to play Broadway show tunes interspersed with spirited ragtime. She was one of the three originators of the concept that became the Red River Revel Arts Festival. Mrs. Colquitt was instrumental in the restoration of both the Strand Theater and the Spring Street Museum, as well as being very involved in the relocation of the Shreve Memorial Library to the old downtown Post Office building. She was active in the Junior League and was honored as Sustainer of the Year for 1989-1990. A major passion for Eleanor was music in general and the Shreveport Symphony in particular. She was a dedicated member of the board for many years. The Shreveport Symphony Guild was formed under her leadership. She was chairman of the Symphony's Silver Anniversary Committee and the committee responsible for relocating the Symphony House to the Centenary College Campus. Over the years Mrs. Colquitt tirelessly raised funds for the Symphony and dozens of organizations and was most generous to her favorite charities. She was also a member of the board of the Wideman Piano Competition and Le Corps Magnifique. Her beloved husband, Walter Colquitt, passed away in 1996 at age 90. Mrs. Colquitt is survived by her sister, Irma Johnson Murphey of Warner Springs, California; her children, Dr. Tom Colquitt and his wife Ginger; two daughters, Kit Blue of Shreveport, and Sarah Stang and her husband David of Washington, D.C. and Kenmare, Ireland; four grandchildren; Sarah Wells of Slidell, Robert Bruce of New Orleans, Lee Schaffler of Memphis, TN, and Claire Moss of Jackson, TN; five great-grandchildren; cousins Walter and Ben Johnson of Mansfield, LA; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family extends special thanks and appreciation to Betty White, Christy Richards, Ginger Huff, and Lisa Coburn, all of whom cared for Eleanor during her final months at The Glen; and to Lillie Winston, who gave her comfort and companionship during her final days. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 911 Delaware, to celebrate Eleanor's life. A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Cathedral at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 6, followed by a private burial in Mansfield, LA. Those choosing to honor Mrs. Colquitt's memory should direct their donations in her name to the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, 619 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101. Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Marshall St. Chapel, 222-0348.