Mattie Collier

The family of the late Mattie Collier sincerely appreciates your thoughtfulness and prayers during their time of sorrow and would like to thank the staff from “Optimal Hospice of Visalia” for their care and support.

Mattie Collier passed on Friday, November 29, 2013, daughter of the late Ida Turner Collier and Wilson Collier was born February 1, 1935 in McCormick, South Carolina. The family moved to Brooklyn, NY sometime later and grew to a family of nine. Three months later her new born brother Howard passed away. In her teens she left high school to support the family. Years later Mattie went back to school and got her GED. She was a firm believer in education, a prolific reader and took college courses when time permitted. As the saying goes “She was self-educated”. Her love of family was always strong, she helped emotionally and financially whenever she could.

Mattie was a people person and had friends of all races before it was fashionable. After retiring as a City Inspector for New York City in 1996 she moved permanently to Hanford, Ca. to be with her only child Deborah Hutchinson and her four grandchildren; Tene C. Hutchinson Bonds, Fallon M. Hutchinson, Sean L. Hutchinson & Tayler J. Hutchinson. During this time she worked at Monroe School as a school guard, a shoe sales person at Gottschalk’s until they closed. She also volunteered at the Hanford Library and the Soup Kitchen and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church.

She leaves behind three great grandchildren. Her one sister Edye but is in heaven with her mother, father and six siblings rejoicing with her god.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 11 am at People’s Funeral Chapel. Family and Friends may visit www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com to view her legacy and send condolences to the family.