Betty Jo Collier, 86, Avid Bowler

In 1950, she married William Delmas Collier in Tennessee and, during the early years of their marriage, they moved to Ohio where, together, they raised five children. Del passed away in 2007 just before their 57th anniversary.

Betty and Del were avid bowlers and traveled quite a bit with dear friends from their bowling teams. After Del’s passing, Betty was quite active in her church as well as volunteering at a local nursing home. As a young wife and mother, she ran a professional clothes ironing business in her home helping to provide things like musical instruments for her children. She was quite accomplished at cross stitching and crocheting. Her crocheted items, including afghans and angels, now adorn many homes.

Betty was active for many years at Tower Baptist Church in Lorain and leaves behind many dear friends there. After relocating to Ashland, she attended New Liberty Baptist Church where she was quickly accepted and well-loved.

Betty battled valiantly to regain her strength and abilities after a debilitating stroke over four years ago. She progressed greatly thanks to much prayer and a lot of dedicated therapists and helpers. Recent months have brought a steady decline in her strength and she grew weary of the battle feeling ready to meet her Lord and savior. She passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Saturday August 22, 2020 at Kingston of Ashland.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, mother, husband, step-mother Claudine McClure, sons: Kenneth Dwight Collier in 2016 and Terry Alan Collier in 2016, infant daughter Catherine Ann Collier in 1953 and brothers Wayne McClure and Gary Turner.

She is survived by a son Richard Collier of Seville, daughters: Patricia (Jeffery) Dziak of Ashland and Sharon Collier (Alyn Johnson) of Hermitage, Tennessee; daughter-in-law Jessica Collier of Elyria; brother Clint (Elizabeth) McClure, sisters: Ann Macklin and Patsy (Terry) Sparks, sister-in-law Shirley (Harold) Pegram, brothers-in-law Leroy (Rosemary) Collier and Lester (Robin) Collier, all of Tennessee; sister-in-law Josephine (Billy) Shaver of North Carolina; grandchildren: Benjamin (Sarah) Collier of Mint Hill, North Carolina, Roger Miller of Tennessee, Trisha Miller of Lorain, Garrett (Gretchen) Miller of Lorain, Justin Miller of Austin, Texas, Zebulon (Cara) Dziak, Caleb Dziak, Cody (Amanda) Dziak, all of Ashland, Tirzah Dziak of Shelby, Miriam Dziak and Anna (Brandon) Miller, also of Ashland, Olivia Dziak of North Royalton and Kiara Williams of Elyria and numerous great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Thursday August 27, 2020 from 10:00 am until the time of funeral services at 11:00 am at Tower Baptist Church, 1313 Tower Blvd, Lorain. The Rev. Gary Dorsey, retired pastor of the church, will preside. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township. Face coverings and social distancing are mandated during all services.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain. Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.