Homer Raiford Collier

Notes:

Obituary

Funeral service for Mr. Homer Raiford Collier, 89, of Douglass, Texas will be held on Monday, February 20, 2012, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Douglass with Bro. John McGuire, Bro. Bobby Whitehead and Bro. Bobby King officiating. Burial will follow at Douglass Cemetery.

Mr. Collier was born on September 25, 1922, in Melrose, Texas to the late Alton Terrell and Tommie Inez Walker Collier. He passed away on Friday, February 17, 2012, in Nacogdoches.

In 1941 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Homer went to Orange, Texas where he worked for Consolidated Shipyard, helping build destroyers and battleships for the war, including the USS Aurick. While working there he met his future wife, Eunice Watson and they married on September 1, 1944.

Homer and Eunice returned to the family farm in Douglass after the war where they lived until their passing. He went to work for the Singer Sewing Machine Co. in 1949, as a salesman. He later bought the Nacogdoches Singer dealership on East Main in downtown Nacogdoches, where he remained working until his death. Homer was the longest living business owner in downtown Nacogdoches. Homer was an ordained Baptist deacon for 60 years, and he served at First Baptist Church of Douglass until his death. He was also a 65 year Master Mason for Swift Lodge # 678, where his father, Alton Collier and grandfather, Absalom Collier were members before him.

Homer had a love for horses and cattle, and he raised them on his farm in Douglass. The animals he trained were sold to clowns for use at rodeos and other venues for entertainment. He enjoyed performing himself with his animals at rodeos and churches.

Homer is survived by his daughter, Joyce Rogers of Alto, Texas; three sons, Larry Collier and wife, Diann, Dale Collier and wife, Judy and Dave Collier all of Douglass; three sisters, Laura Hand, Lois Carlson and JoAnne Whitehead all of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Kevin Rogers, Carla Absalom, Lelena Rushing, Amanda Arrington, Casey Collier, Michelle Baggett, Ann Tucker, Thomas Collier, Nancy Rice, Lucas Collier and Christine Snyder; twenty six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family and good friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Eunice Watson Collier; and three brothers, Cecil, Lenox and Buford Collier. Pallbearers will be Kevin Rogers, Casey Collier, Thomas Collier, Lucas Collier, Nicholas Rushing, Hunter Rothenberger, Adam Lawson, Josh Lawson, Tyler Tucker, Fred Athey and George Stokes. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 19, 2012, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Laird Funeral Home. The family would like to extend their warmest thanks to Dr. Charles Page and all the other doctors and staff at Memorial Hospital in Nacogdoches for the kindness and professionalism they bestowed upon Mr. Collier. To offer condolence or to sign an online register book please log onto lairdfh.net. Laird Funeral Home.

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Homer married Eunice Watson on 1 Sep 1944 in Orange County, Texas. Eunice was born on 10 Feb 1924 in Clarksville, Red River County, Texas; died on 25 May 2011 in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas; was buried in Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Nacogdoches County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]