"My Brother, My Twin, how I miss you so very, very much. They say that only the good die young and in this case its true. I want to say to you that I cherish our moments together before you left this earth. You were able to come up and be with my family, your niece and nephews and your brother-in-law and enjoy your time together with us. You were able to come to the annual family dinner and spend time with Ma, Dad, Siblings and your other hosts of nephews and nieces. Your spent time with your Son and Daughter, Daughter-in-law and your grand-children and those moments in time are cherished forever because we sure did miss you when you were enlisted in the Army, its like lost time was made up. There is so much I want to say but I can't do it here in this box. Know that I love you and you are loved by all of the family. We miss you."
In loving memory of
Arthur Lee Coston, Jr.
October 3, 1957 - November 18, 2020
Husband, Father, Soldier and so much more.
Arthur Lee Muhammad (Arthur Lee Coston, Jr.) returned to Allah on November 18, 2020 at 12:45am. Brother Arthur, also known as Zinky by his family and Saleem by some of the Believers, was the first of 6 children born October 3, 1957 to Rev. Arthur Lee Coston, Sr. and Sarah Matthews (deceased). He is survived by his wife, Marsha Muhammad, children, siblings:Vicky (John), Sonya (Keith), Danny, Deatrice (Hans) and Colette; his Aunt and second Mother Rosanna Coston Henry, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Brother Arthur was born in New York City, New York. He graduated from Mckee High School in 1976, immediately started his military career and took Shahadah adopting the religious name Saleem Muhammad. Through his military service he traveled to Korea, Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, UAE, Iraq, and Nicaragua. He spoke Arabic, Farsi and some Spanish. He retired from the military and became a member of the Nation of Islam. Brother Arthur enjoyed soldiering with the Brothers in under served communities, motorcycling, taking care of his horse Goldie Boy, star gazing and road trips.
Brother Arthur was formerly married to Elaine Wilcox. His children, Arthur III(mother, Elaine), LeAndra, Samuel, Atiya (mother, Juanita Perry), Malaki, Saliha, Faruq, Nadira, Hanifa and Aliya whom he loved dearly are coping with the loss of their father. He has 2 grandchildren, Omar and Zay'Rihanna, 37 nieces and nephews, 24 great nieces and nephews, and hosts of extended family and friends.
In the US Army he was stationed at Fort Drum, then Fort Bragg where he was part of the 82nd Airborne and Special Operations Forces. After deployment in the Desert Storm Conflict, where he served with the 4th/80th Chemical Battalion, he had the privilege of marching down the Canyon of Heroes in the NYC Ticker Tape Parade honoring our military in June 1991. Brother Arthur discharged from active duty in 1992 and enlisted in the Reserve. He spent time as a teacher at the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear CBRN School at Fort Leonard Wood then retired in 2013, Sergeant First Class with honorable discharge after 37 years of continued service. Brother Arthur entered civilian life, married Marsha and was a Corrections Officer for Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Brother Arthur took a health downturn in 2017. He and his wife transferred their land and horse to his first born, Arthur III, and began to travel. After traveling, he and his wife, settled in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia.
Though very ill he continued visiting family and friends by train. Brother Arthur went to New York in late October to receive special medical care at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where he shortly thereafter passed away.
He will be laid to rest as a hero on December 2nd at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, Virginia.
Tributes
"Hi Big Brother Zinky; it was an honor to have been with you during your transitioning to our Heavenly Father and Lord and Savior. You rededicated your life back to Christ just in time for God to receive you into His glory. God received you in and said, "Well done, good and faithful servant!". You are now in glory with our mom, Sarah P. Matthews. I will never forget you and will always love you and remember that you expressed gratitude for how your family showed so much love for you and dedicated time to assist you in your healing. You didn't trust anyone else to do it. Only your Dad, your siblings, Vicky R. Hogan (John), Sonya A. Miguel (Keith), Danny E. Coston, Deatrice C. Williams (Hans) and myself Colette Z. Coston, your Lettezee?
The Original Coston's, we are and will forever be; and we love you!! Rest In Paradise, in God's hands?"
"I miss you so much big brother! ? I was so happy to help take care of you with our sisters and brother and Art Jr. and daughter Ruby. How beautiful when you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior and are now in heaven sitting at His throne! ??"
"I send my prayers and condolences to you, Arthur, and your entire family during this time of loss. Maureen Bowers"
"Our Deepest Sympathies are extended to the Coston Family during this unfortunate time. May God give your family strength during this time and may the love and mercy of our Lord be bestowed upon you and help ease the pain of your loss. The Powell/Blue Family, NC"
"Zanky, you may not think I didn't know you were grateful but I could tell. You protected me when I young- and as I got older you didn't stop. Zanky, you still protect me because what I did for you, I wanted to do for mom. I still grieve mom but you, big brother took that pain away in my gut, that anguish I had is gone. That's you, big brother protecting my pain.? thank you. LOVE AND MISS YOU!"
"Dear sweet big brother, I?m so honored to be your baby sister. Thank you for taking care of me and watching over me. I will never forget how selfless and giving you were of yourself to all of us. I remember when you brought home the preserved army food and how I felt sorry you had to eat it lol. I miss you so much and will hold our precious memories in my heart forever and ever!"
"In loving memory."
"Zanky, I love you and will miss. I am so thankful for the years we've had together as brother and sister. You alway liked to kid around with me and have a good laugh. When you enlisted in the US Army you made your parents so proud and I was so proud of you. You were such an adventurous person. I guess that's why you joined the Army. You always looked handsome in your uniform. You have proud nephews who have followed in your footsteps of military service. You gave us a wonderful nephew and niece to be apart of our growing family. I am so thankful I got to spend time with you and be apart of your care in your last days. You now sit with our loving mother at Jesus' feet. I miss you both and love you both. You were a wonderful son, brother, husband, father and friend."