Esther Whitton Colpitts' Obituary
Esther Colpitts, age 80, of Miami, Florida, passed away surrounded by loved ones on December 2, 2025.
Born on May 2, 1945 in Richmond, Virginia, Esther grew into a woman of deep faith, love, and generosity. After moving to Miami, she began working for the Miami Bar Association where she devoted 20 years as a legal secretary. In 1970, after only five months of knowing one another, she married the love of her life, Richard “Grampy” Colpitts, in Miami.
Throughout their 47 years together, they traveled all around the world. Esther visited Richard in Croatia on several occasions where he worked for the UN; from there they traveled to Germany, Italy, France, Egypt, Israel, and many other countries. Her favorite place of all was Masada in Israel and the Old City of Jerusalem. They loved taking cruises and traveling to New York City, Seattle, California, and Key West. Her favorite places in the US were the Grand Canyon, Mt. Vernon in Virginia, and most of all Captiva, FL.
In 1991, Esther and Richard moved to Lake County, Florida, where she became a caregiver to a multitude of cats and dogs. Esther found and adopted stray cats including a full litter of kittens at one point. She also had love for rescue dogs with complex needs and had plenty of patience to care for them.
Esther became an adoptive mother and beloved “Grammie” to the Orobitg family, forming a bond that grew into a lifelong relationship filled with love, laughter, and purpose. She cared for and loved all three children, Ethan, Shelby, and Trevor from their births. From documenting first steps to attending graduations, she was always there loving and teaching. Both she and Grampy spent time at First Academy of Leesburg, pouring into hearts into the children’s sports and academics.
She loved talking to anyone and everyone about the Lord. Her faith in Christ was unwavering, and she demonstrated it through the way she lived.
Esther is survived by her granddaughter Angie Achon, (her great-grandchildren Anthony and Olivia), her daughter-of-the-heart, Shondra Orobitg (Eddie), and grandchildren Ethan, Shelby, and Trevor Orobitg who will forever carry her love and memory.
Strong-willed, wonderfully stubborn, endlessly giving, and full of fierce love, Esther faced every season of life with grace and determination. She will be remembered as a caring Grammie, animal advocate, loving wife, and a devoted servant to Jesus Christ, her Savior.
A service to honor and celebrate her life will be held on January 2, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
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