Ross Collier

Services for Ross Collier, 66, of Tyler are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 20 at Mobberly Baptist Church, Longview with Rev. Joe T. Veal officiating. Family will receive friends 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Services are under the arrangement of Lloyd James Funeral Home, Tyler.

Ross went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 16, 2016 in Tyler.

Ross was born on March 26, 1950 in Longview to the late Albert and Alice Collier. He attended Judson Schools and graduated from Longview High School. He earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from East Texas State University (Texas A&M Commerce), received his Master’s Degree in Religious Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as receiving his Doctor of Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ross was called to ministry while attending Kilgore College.

Ross served two years as Minister of Education at First Baptist Church Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. He was appointed in 1981 by International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and served in Malawi, Africa for 34 years, retiring in December, 2015. While serving in Malawi, he was happiest when he was out with his African brothers telling everyone he could about Jesus and starting churches with them.

He is survived by wife Sherry Browning Collier and children Brian, David and Alicia Collier; sister Cynthia Young and husband James; brother Bruce Collier and wife Rosalin; brother Mike Collier and wife Chris; sister Debra Collier-Kerstetter and husband Mike; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Although Ross returned to Tyler, Texas, his heart remained with the people of Malawi.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by grandparents Grover and Emily Collier and H.A. and Irene Leath.

Pallbearers will be nephews: Aaron Collier, Clayton Collier, Ben Young, Jay Young, Travis Fletcher, and Eric Buess.

A visitation is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday, September 19 at Lloyd James Funeral Home in Tyler.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mobberly Baptist Church, Malawi Missions Fund, 625 E. Loop 281, Longview, TX 75605.

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am; send me.” Isaiah 6:8