Rev. Ronald Collier

The Rev. Ronald L. Collier, 81, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, at home.

The sixth of seven children, he was born Oct. 13, 1939, in Commerce, Missouri, to Christopher "Columbus" and Mary "Ethel" Mitchell Collier. He attended school in Commerce and Kelly, Missouri.

He and Patsy Jean Medcalf were united in marriage Jan. 10, 1959, in Cairo, Illinois.

From 1958 to 1968, they owned and operated Sikeston (Missouri) Sanitation Service. Then, Ronald, assisted by Patsy, pastored the Assembly for the Gospel Church in Rochelle, Illinois. Together, they were employed by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, providing a treatment home for 50-plus foster children. Along the way, Ronald also found time to farm and weld. They had been married 53 years when Patsy passed away July 1, 2013.

Ronald was a devoted, loving, husband, father and grandfather and was a living example of Christ's love for everyone.

Loving survivors include four sons, Bob (Jenny) Collier, Chris C. (Marilyn) Collier II and Matt (Amelia) Collier, all of Jackson, and Patrick R. (Monica) Collier of Malden, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Valerie, Christopher, Clayton, Micah, Shadowlyn, William, Natalie and Abigail; and two sisters-in-law, Camilla (the late Richard) Collier of Glen Allen, Missouri, and Linda (the late Gaylon) Collier of Dexter, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Collier; a grandson, Christian Troy Matthew Collier; five adult siblings, Mary (Fred) Tanner, Edwin (Louise) Collier, Ernest (Dorothy) Collier, Richard Collier and Gaylon Collier; and an infant sister, Catherine Collier.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Ron McDermott and Darren Henderson officiating. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Ronald's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.