Pastor Emeritus Edmond Thomas Coston, age 93, of Burgaw, peacefully laid down the burdens of this world and received his crown and long white robe he so often preached about on Friday, September 1, 2023 while at the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center located in Wilmington, North Carolina. He is the husband of Lady Leola Mays Coston.

A Homegoing Celebration will convene at 11:00a.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at First Missionary Baptist Church located in Kenansville, North Carolina. Interment will immediately follow in the Burgaw Cemetery located in Burgaw, North Carolina.

Public Viewing and Visitation for relatives and friends will take place 5:00p.m. - 7:00p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023 at The Chapel of Dunn Funeral Home - 810 W. Wilmington St. Burgaw, NC 28425 with a Quiet Hour being held 5:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. and an Inspirational Wake with reflections from relatives and friends taking place 6:00p.m. - 7:00p.m.

FINAL VIEWING for family and friends will take place 10:00a.m. - 11:00a.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church located in Kenansville, NC. just before the 11:00a.m. Homegoing Celebration. There will not be any viewing at the conclusion of the Homegoing Celebration.

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Pastor Emeritus Edmond T. Coston, affectionately referred to as "R.T." by many, was the sixth son and the seventh child of the late Pearlie Coston and Lottie Peterson Coston. He was born September 25, 1929 in Burgaw, North Carolina.

On August 13, 1972, Rev. Coston was joined in Holy Matrimony to Leola Mays. He is the father of five children: Phil, Sr., Lottie Ruth, Reggie, Granville, and Felicia.

Over the course of more than 50 years Pastor Coston served churches in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and North Carolina. Known for his wit and humor Pastor Coston built friendships across the nation. His words of encouragement and acts of kindness touched the lives of all who knew him.