Warner Collier, Sr.

WARNER J.COLLIER, SR. Tupelo - Sunday morning, June 24, 2012, Warner J. Collier, Sr.,88, completed his earthly race and entered the portals of heaven. He died with grace and dignity in his home surrounded by his children. He was born December 12, 1923, in Rhea County Tennessee to John H. and Flossie Travis Collier. He married Elsie Moore, the love of his life, on October 30, 1942. He proudly served in World War II with the 3632D Quartermaster Truck Company being discharged November 16, 1946. As a member of the "Greatest Generation", he returned home and quietly began a new phase of life as a lineman for the Tupelo Light Department where he and a few other linemen built the basic electrical infrastructure for the City of Tupelo. After retiring from the Water and Light Department, he worked at George Ruff Buick for many years. He was a faithful member of Priceville Baptist Church serving as a Deacon from December 1964 to the time of his death. A celebration of his life will be 2:00 pm Wednesday at the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues Funeral Home with his son, Rev. Warner Collier, Jr. officiating and grandson, Rev. Warner Collier, III will deliver the eulogy. Rev. Andy Dozier will lead the grave side service at the Tupelo Memorial Park. Survivors include one brother, W. A. Collier (Shirley) of Ringgold, Georgia; one son, Warner J. Collier, Jr. of Beeville, Texas; two daughters, Joye Bailey (Philip) of Tupelo and Carol Newcomb (Everett) of Corinth; grandchildren, David Bailey (Eileen), Paul Bailey (Holly), Melissa Bailey, Brian Keith (Rachel), Lisa Baggett (Anthony), Warner "John" Collier, III (Cathy), Jason Collier (Angie), Melissa Seal (Eddie), Elizabeth Collier, Matthew Collier and Jason Newcomb (Desiree'); great-grandchildren, Claire Bailey, Michael Bailey, Caitlin Bailey, Annalise Bailey, Hunter Keith, Brayden Keith, Dylan Garrison, Jasob Garrison, Chase Baggett, Cole Baggett, Andy Bailey, Chris Bailey, Warner Collier, IV, Jacob Collier, Aaron Collier, Luke Seal, Maggie Seal, Jack Seal, Jakub Newcomb and Jack Newcomb. Other survivors include special friends and caregivers, Betty Westmoreland, Lucy Durham, Joyce Ward and Rachel Keith. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-five years, Elsie Moore Collier on May 7, 2008; his parents, John and Flossie Collier; sisters, Aileen Yother and Nancy Shelton; brothers, Burton Collier, Robert Collier, J. T. Collier and Odis Collier; daughter-in-law, Margaret Collier. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be members of his Sunday School Class and special friend Oscar Gates. The family extends thanks to the nurses and staff of the North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice for the compassionate care provided and special thanks to Telena Westmoreland and Tina Bell for the compassion, care, and support they provided. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 26, 2012, from 5 - 8 p.m. and continue on Wednesday from noon until service time. Memorials may be made to the Priceville Baptist Church, 713 N. Feemster Lake Rd. Tupelo, MS 38801.