Barbara Collier

Barbara Elaine Collier succumbed to “a lil toucha cancer” on August 3, 2021. She was born in Ottumwa, Iowa to Carl Henry and Virginia (Cravens) Ask on December 16,1947. Her mother died when she and her sister Janice were very young. Her father married Helen McClure Smith, a young widow with two boys, Scott and Jeffrey. Together, Carl and Helen had a third son, John. The family moved to Mineola where she spent her youth. Barbara obtained her nursing degree and maintained her status as an RN throughout her adult life. She married her junior high sweetheart, William Murray “Buzz” Collier in 1968. They moved to Grand Saline and had two children, Jennifer and Ross.

Barbara and Buzz were very active in a number of civic organizations in the 1970s and 80s, and worked tirelessly to ensure the establishment of Persons’ Park for the youth and families of Grand Saline. They were named Man and Woman of the Year by the Grand Saline Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the community. She was a founding member of the Van Zandt County Humane Society and served as President for many years.
Barbara was an advocate to those who struggled with mental health and was devoted to the people she served at The Andrew’s Center for over 18 years.

Barbara was well known for her love of animals, both domestic and wild. She had a complete disdain for poachers and spent countless hours patrolling and securing her property. While she grew up during a time that racism, whether overt or closeted, was the norm, Barbara made a conscientious decision to change how she thought about and treated others, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

Following her retirement in 2013,she became a Master Gardener, and enjoyed few things more than working in her flower beds and garden.
She was a lifelong Methodist and longtime member of the First United Methodist Church. Barbara was gleefully anticipating reuniting with Buzz and returning to her life’s true calling, moving his stuff.

Barbara will be remembered for her strong will, incredible generosity, kind heart, genuineness, quick wit and biting sense of humor, immeasurable energy, fierce independence and boundless love for her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, her beloved son, her adored sister, her brother-in-law Joe Collier, nephew Kenneth Earl Collier and her parents.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Philip Maynard of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the light of her life, granddaughter Helen Olivia Maynard of New York City; her three brothers, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Smith and John Ask; several nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.

Per her extremely explicit wishes, there will be no service. Arrangements were made by Bartley Funeral Home.

Her family wishes to thank Dr. Michael Ashigbi and the wonderful team at Hope Cancer Center and the outstanding nursing staff at UT Tyler Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to a local shelter or animal rescue organization.