I've tried and tried to figure this one out on my own. I managed to change the color on FireFox pages, but not in Thunderbird, version 45.8.0. I use to have it, but not now.
I think I figured it out!!! After playing around with "Ad Ons", which got me some colors i.e. "In Box" etc. I went back to the Preferences, and again played around, but this time I noticed under option "Display", and down on the left side an options to uncheck "Use system colors and" POW!!
MY YELLOWCOLOR on the message/page appeared.
I am if nothing else, determined!
Hope this might help someone else.