Celeste Mae Collier

Celeste Mae Collier was born on November 24, 1938 in Hanford, CA to Levi and Agnes Woods. She was the third of five siblings. Celeste was baptized at an early age and attended A.M.E. Zion Church throughout her childhood and teenager years every Wednesday and Sunday.

After receiving her education from Hanford High School, Celeste moved to Salinas, CA with her older siblings for work. Celeste was a woman who could do it all. She enjoyed being a seamstress, presser, factory worker, and an auto mechanic. As a young woman, Celeste married Army veteran Moses Collier in Monterey County. Celeste returned to her childhood home in the late 80’s to care for her elderly mother where she remained until her passing.

In 1982, before the birth of her first grandchild…her daughters were discussing what the grandbaby would call her. After debating with her because she did not like the name “Granny” due to Beverly Hillbillies. As a joke her teenage daughter at the time, insisted that she had to be called, “Granny.” For the next 40 years, everyone including friends and family lovingly referred to her as “Granny.”

Celeste is survived by her five children: Bobbie Minter (Sacramento), Janette Collier (Sacramento), Robert Collier (Lemoore), Cynthia Collier (Hanford), and Victor Collier (Antioch); one son in law: Alvin Horn (Hanford); six grandchildren: Regyna Jones (Sacramento), Ramon Collier (Visalia), Hardy Jones (Sacramento), Shanae Horn (Hanford), LeDine Collier (Sacramento), and Levi White (Lemoore); one great granddaughter: Ambriel Horn (Visalia) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. Celeste is preceded in death by her parents: Levi and Agnes Woods; her husband: Moses Collier; her sisters: Eva Williams, Nettye Payton, Joyce Burton, and Vera Davis; two nephews: Stanley Payton and Troy Gachett; and one niece: Renita Gachett.

Granny…….Your life was a blessing, your memory is a treasure; You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure!