Merrilee A. Collier, 87, of Leesburg, Va., formerly of Ipava, died at 10:10 a.m. Jan. 26, 2011, at Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Leesburg, Va.Merrilee A. Collier, 87, of Leesburg, Va., formerly of Ipava, died at 10:10 a.m. Jan. 26, 2011, at Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Leesburg, Va.
She was born Feb. 24, 1923, in Vermont, a daughter of Dana and Stella Smith Nelson. She married Charles E. Collier on July 25, 1942, in Palmyra, Mo. He preceded her in death on July 18, 2007.
Surviving are one son, George (and Michelle) Collier of Katy, Texas; two daughters, Bonnie (and Bill Franks) Poli of Leesburg, Va., and Pam (and Ed) Wickert of Ipava; one brother, Bill (and Geri) Nelson of Evans, Ga.; one sister, Lorena Rankin of Rio Rancho, N.M.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She was a farm wife and did secretarial work where ever Charles was stationed during World War II. Later, she worked in accounting and doing secretarial work for the state of Florida for over 30 years, retiring in 1986.
She was a graduate of Vermont High School in 1941, where she was Valedictorian. While in high school, she won awards for playing the piano. She also was a graduate of Browns Business College in Peoria.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria with Reverend Danie deBeer officiating. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the memorial home. Burial will be in Ipava Cemetery.
Memorial may be made to Ipava United Presbyterian Church.