Margaret Collier

Margaret Collier passed away July 2, 2018 at the age of 77.
Margaret was born October 5, 1940 in Beaumont to R.A. and Agatha (Morrison) Collier. Her father worked in the oil industry. Her mother Agatha was part of the first group of women to work at Texas A&M. She enjoyed watching baseball games with her family. She once got to see Dizzy Dean and Babe Ruth play in Beaumont. She loved working with her mother (Nanny) and grandmother (Mama) canning vegetables from the garden. She was heavily involved with FHA (Future Homemakers of America) and excelled at sewing, baking, and canning. She loved going to dances while in high school, which is where she met her husband. They were married in Fort Smith, Arkansas the day after she graduated with the class of 1959 from South Park High School in Beaumont.
Margaret had great joy when her children were born. She had planned to be a homemaker, life had other plans. As primary provider for her three children, she struggled being a single parent when divorce was not nearly as common. As a result, she often had a different perspective from the majority. She was very open about herself and told her family stories about her life. Her stubborn and independent nature helped her to become successful. Her family was extremely important to her. Over the years, she was involved with Brownies, Campfire Girls, 4-H, square dancing, Cook’s Point water board, was a chaperone for Rainbows, and was a leader for softball. Most of these were for her children, although she was very interested in being part of the different organizations. She loved to have a good time and enjoyed the sense of community it brought.
Even after her girls were older, she continued to be very involved with her family, including her extended family. She was always curious about what was happening in everyone’s life. As the matriarch of the family, Margaret was at every family event- weddings, graduations, and funerals. Margaret loved to have the entire family gather at her house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She loved making her recipe Texas Trash mix by the roaster pans full to give to her loved ones, who in turn would stash and hoard from the others. No matter how much she made, it was never enough. She was always up for conversations with her grandchildren, even if it meant just listening and being there for them. Her family enjoyed listening to her travel stories. Margaret shared the joy of genealogy with her sister -in- law Ann as well as sharing stories from the family history.
Margaret went back to school and became a nurse. She graduated from Bee County College in Beeville, Texas class of ‘74. The day she received word that she passed her state boards for nursing was her proudest day. Margaret worked very hard to achieve her dream. With her outgoing personality, nursing was perfect for her. She never met a stranger and could talk to anyone. She had a calling to work with the elderly. She was very dedicated to their care and always felt accomplished when one of her patients was taken off a feeding tube. When it was their time to pass, Margaret felt it was important to be with her patients. She was a very caring person.
When she wasn’t working, Margaret enjoyed reading books, watching wildlife, puttering around in her garden, and watching movies- especially Westerns. Elvis, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood were her favorite entertainers. She also enjoyed working on her genealogy, doing different crafts, and traveling. She visited 48 states and some European countries. She visited Disney with her family, Europe with her sister, and traveled with her son-in-law and family to see sights. She loved taking trips with her grandchildren. She was very adventurous and inquisitive.
Margaret leaves behind her sister Catherine. Her children Gail, Jimmie (recently deceased), Patty, Scott, Kim, and Ralph. Her grandchildren are Christy, Chuck, Monica, JJ, Roger, Emily, Brooks, Sarah, Penny, Chris, and Katie. Her great-grandchildren are Aurora, Anthony, Lexi, and William. She also had many nieces, nephews, and other relations.
To celebrate Margaret’s life, her family has planned a visitation at Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan on Saturday, July 14th from 10:30 to 11am with Services to follow.