Joe Collier Sr.

Joe Collier, Sr. was born on May 9, 1926, in Forsyth, Georgia, Monroe County to the late Lee and Carrie Leary Collier. He was transitioned to his eternal reward on Monday, December 26, 2022, at the age of 96 years, 7 months and 16 days. Raised on a farm as a sharecropper’s son he acquired his love for the land and for the Lord. Joe’s siblings included brothers Edward, Fred, Robert, John, Walter, and Cleveland Collier; sisters Bertha Proctor, Lizzie Davis, Gladys Peterson and Pansy Collier.

Joe professed a hope in Christ at an early age, joining the Rocky Mount United Methodist Church in Barnesvile, GA, Lamar County. Led by the Holy Spirit, he was known for his ardent singing and praying abilities.

Often visiting the Hopewell United Methodist Church, it was here he met his childhood sweetheart, Earnestine Clements. The two were married on April 14, 1945. Guided by the hand of God and in hopes of a better life, Joe and Earnestine in 1951 moved to Cincinnati, OH with their three children Flossie Mae, Joe, Jr. and Betty Ann. They were later blessed with another son, Gerry.

Upon arrival in the Queen City they immediately began searching for a church home. In 1955 the family united with the Phillips Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. At Phillips Joe served on the Usher Board, the Trustee Board and as church Custodian. He also assisted as Grill Master during dinner sales.

Joe was very active and supportive in the Avondale community. He worked with the Hearne-Wilson-Northern Avenues Block Club, Avondale Community Council, and the Rockdale School Parent Club. Joe was a very outspoken person. He had no problem interacting with the people and children in the neighborhood. For this reason, he was always addressed as Mr. Collier or Mr. Joe.”

Along with his church involvement, Joe was employed with the Stearns & Foster Mattress Co. in Lockland, OH for 36 years. Following retirement from there, he worked at the Kroger Office Building in downtown Cincinnati. His hobbies included gardening and fishing. Joe was considered a modern day “MacGyver” when it came to making things work!

His loving and devoted wife of seventy six years, Earnestine, and all of his siblings preceded him in death.

Joe Collier, Sr. leaves to honor the legacy of his life and cherish his memory: devoted children, Flossie Collier-Mackey, Joe Collier, Jr., Betty A. Davis and Rev. Gerry Collier (Julie); loving grandchildren, Timothy Collier, Rev. Anthony Collier, Antoinette Mackey, Claude Davis, Adam Marshall, Erica Collier, Elisha Collier, Alisha Collier and Alexandria Collier; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bertha Anderson, Marjorie Collier, Altermease and Billy Maynard, Martha and Albert Clements, Walter Clements, and bonus daughters Joyce Johnson and Barbara Wilcher Norton.

Also, left to cherish his memory are niece, Viola Horton of California, and nephew, Dr. EddieF. Collier (Michelle) of Barnesville, GA; and a host of relatives and friends.

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