Mrs. Colbert joined Patten and Patten, Inc. in 1978 as an Executive Assistant. Before joining Patten and Patten, she held the position of Secretary to Head of Trust Investment Department at Hamilton National Bank from 1969 to 1976 and at First Tennessee Bank from 1976 to 1977. Mrs. Colbert's career began with her service as secretary to the Hamilton County Schools' Head Start Program and as a teacher's aide in the Head Start Program at Mountain Creek Elementary. She is also an active member at Morris Hill Baptist Church in East Brainerd. Mrs. Colbert graduated from Edmonson's School of Business (General Secretarial Diploma) and Tyner High School.