Otha Lee Collier (Jones)

Otha Lee Collier, the first born of Willie G. Harris and Maereatha Harper, was born on April 26, 1927 in Bainbridge, Georgia. She was called from labor to reward on Friday, January 4, 2019, from the Anchorage Healthcare Center in Salisbury, Maryland following a brief illness. Otha accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized and joined the Freewill Baptist Church in Bainbridge, GA, where she attended with her family. Otha was educated in the public schools of Decatur County, Georgia, where she graduated from the Hutto High School in Bainbridge, GA in May 1948. Otha Lee, upon graduation, relocated to the Eastern Shore of Maryland where she met the love of her life, Oliver Collier. They were united in holy matrimony on December 23, 1948, by the late Reverend Jones in Fruitland, MD. In 1952, Otha graduated from the Charm School of Cosmetology in Newark, NJ. She returned to Fruitland, MD and opened The Collier’s Charm Beauty and Barber Salon. She opened her beauty salon and began serving her community for more than 50 years. Otha Lee was raised in a Christian home where early commitment was made to serve the Master, be supportive and active in the church and community, and become personally involved in civic activities. She was taught to love and to care. The road has not been easy for her, nor did she expect it to be…(“For that which we labor in faith through honesty and humbleness bountiful harvest is the reward”). Jobs came in many forms: field work and factory work, to name a few – but a burning desire led her to launch a career based on faith and determination. Otha Lee became a beautician. This gave her the opportunity to meet many people, make money, friends, and learn of the needs and aspirations of others. Oliver and Otha’s home became a place of comfort for many – some stopping by just to chat and sit a while. Not one to accept without giving in return, she had a greater vision to fulfill the needs of children and working parents, and to give to their community of Fruitland a much needed child care center. They saw a central theme of continued growth and enfoldment through the building and opening of the Fruitland Day Care Center in September 1961. Children ranging from age two and above from the Fruitland Community as well as the surrounding communities have been cared for by “Miss Otha Lee and Mr. Oliver” as they were so affectionately called by everyone. The unique thing about the Child Care Center was that there was enough love for all. They administered it with a tenderness and kindness that was endless while providing a female and male role model for children to emulate. Otha Lee was a member of the Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church in Fruitland, MD. She served on the Council of Ministry, member of the United Methodist Women’s organization, The Ten ladies and Adult Choir. Otha Lee continued to inspire others to pray as she so fervently did. She spear-headed many fundraising activities for her church and community. Otha Lee loved her family and friends. There are children from all across the state and country who came through the Fruitland Day Care Center and Collier’s Charm Beauty and Barber Salon. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 58 years, Oliver James Collier; her mother, Maereatha Jones (Henry); her father, Willie Harris (Rosebud) as well as five sisters and five brothers. She leaves to cherish her memories: three sisters, Thelma Scott of Fruitland, MD, Adell Bowers of Panama City, FL and Janie Johnson of Frederica, DE; two brothers, John Harris (Cynthia) of Paterson, NJ and Lee Harris (Betty) of Jacksonville, FL; adopted children, Marvin Parker, Sr., Marvin Parker, Jr. (Uvanda) and Sonya (Emanuel); sister-in-law, Ruby Collier; special nieces, Lorese Bounds (Homer), Keshia Jenkins (Dion), Patricia Mapp and Jona Horsey (David); special God Daughters, Annnabelle Watson, Mrs. Mae Johnson and a special Godson, Cliff Jones and a host of relatives, friends and loved ones.

Otha Lee Collier (Jones)

April 26, 1927 - January 4, 2019