Dr. Durward Reed Collier

Donelson, TN

Age 86, passed away on February 27, 2018, and was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Jeanette Collier. He is survived by four children and their spouses, Lisa and Bill Rollins, Cheryl and Roger Nash, Gina and Glen Ford, and Paul and Rachel Collier; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Audra and John Owens, Joseph and Margaret Rollins, Phillip Nash, Lara and Ken Creson, Samuel and KC Wolfe, Hannah Ford, Joshua and Joel Collier; and five great-grandchildren.

Dr. Collier received his BS from Mississippi State University, DDS from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry and MPH from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. In 1995, Dr. Collier retired after serving 35 years with the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment, the last 27 years of those years as the Director of the Division of Oral Health Services. Throughout his career, Dr. Collier was active in numerous health organizations including: American Board of Dental Public Health, American College of Dentists, American Public Health Association, Southern Health Association, American Dental Association, American Association of Public Health Dentistry, Pierre Fauchard Academy, Tennessee Public Health Association, Federation Dentaire Internationale, Tennessee Dental Association, Nashville District Dental Society, and Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors.

Dr. Collier was a member and deacon at First Baptist Church Donelson, a 32nd Degree Scottish-Rite Mason and Shriner.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11am Saturday, March 3, at First Baptist Church Donelson. Interment to follow at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. Visitation with family is Friday, March 2, from 4-8pm at Hermitage Funeral Home and Saturday from 10-11am at First Baptist Church Donelson.

The family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Shriners Hospitals for Children.