Willie Mae Collier

Willie Mae (Shirley) Collier was born on September 16, 1942 to the late William Preston Hardrict and Henrietta (Cowan) Outlaw, and was the eldest of eight children. In 1960, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Fred Collier (a soldier in the U.S. Army). They were blessed with 3 children Debora Slay, Daphne Ann Collier and Fred Andrew Collier. She attended primary and secondary school in Chicago, Illinois, in Oklahoma completed her LPN certification from nursing school; earned her associates degree from Monterey Peninsula College; and later in life worked toward her Bachelor's degree in theology. As a young girl she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour, and her life was nourished by God. She touched and was touched by others by sharing her love as well as nurturing family, friends, and community. She joined Belen Missionary Church and became a faithful trustee and treasurer for more than a decade. Her work always had an element of social impact and commitment to service. She was a nurse then a community liaison with Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital; did private duty nursing in the Monterey community, and was a counselor and director in the alcohol and drug treatment centers within the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas. In 1989, the city of Seaside, California recognized Shirley for her outstanding contribution to the city, and in 1995 she received appreciation for her outstanding contribution to the MIA House (an African American focused program for women and children in recovery). After retirement she and Fred started a wonderfully new adventure selling art, figurines, and clothes called Shirley's Gifts and Things. They loved traveling, meeting people and shopping. She was also the former Worthy Matron of the Las Estrellistes chapter order of the Easter Star of Belen, NM. Shirley loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren deeply, and when she visited them or friends it was via her favorite mode of transportation - Amtrak. Willie Mae passed away in peace and with love around her. She leaves to cherish her memory her two daughters Debora Slay of Belen, NM, Daphne A. Collier of Capitol Heights, MD; her four grandchildren Yazzmine Mykesha Lujan (Ruben), Sherrele Lawan Watkins, Renita Breyana Williams, Kenneth Ardell Smith II; three great grandchildren Debria Nicole Williams, Steven Garard Loudermilk III, Robert Tyler Loudermilk; siblings Patricia Ann Outlaw, Rosetta Outlaw-Powell (Kenneth), Leslie Outlaw (Patricia), and the last living aunt Rosetta King. Willie Mae is preceded in death by her husband Fred Collier, son Fred Andrew Collier, great grandparents Glen and Vassey Hardrict; grandparents Samuel and Henrietta Cowan, Marion Hardrict and Pearlie Suddoth; mother Henrietta (Cowan) Outlaw; father William Preston Hardrict; brothers JT Mitchell Cowan, Eddie Outlaw Jr, Willie Lee Outlaw, and Vernelle Outlaw; and a host of aunts and uncles. Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., (505)864-4448, where an online guest register is available at www.noblin.com.

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