Beverly Collier

Beverly Collier Obituary In Loving Memory of Beverly Collier Sunrise - November 3, 1951 Sunset – September 24, 2020 Beverly, lovingly known as Bev, was born on November 3, 1951 to the late and proud parents Lemuel Charles and Ella Mae Collier. She earned her wings on September 24, 2020. Her Background Beverly was raised in Cleveland, Ohio and attended John Hay High School. She attended a variety of churches over the years and held steadfast in her Christian walk. Her Work Beverly was an organizer and a community activist at heart. She lovingly served the Carver Pak community for over 30 years in both paid and volunteer positions with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority - CMHA, Outhwaite Community Center and Friendly Inn Settlement. Bev served on the Friendly Inn Board of Governors supporting CMHA and community initiatives to ensure the health, safety and proper representation of residents in her community. One of her proudest achievements was serving as a representative of her fellow residents in low income housing to CMHA to articulate their needs. Bev tirelessly served the needy in her community as a volunteer manager of the Friendly Inn Food Bank where she played a pivotal role in supervising the process to distribute food and supplies. She served seniors in her community by organizing outings to various events and sites around Ohio as well as spearheading an annual senior luncheon. She organized an annual volunteer luncheon for volunteers at the community centers. She participated in organizing and/or assisting with a variety of community development programs at the centers to support a diverse range of empowerment initiatives such as parenting skills for single mothers, life skills for recovering addicts, supporting at risk youth with afterschool programs, educational support, summer programs and so much more. Bev was recognized by the community for her diligent service on many occasions such as the Friendly Inn “Virtuous Woman” Award, “Spirit of Friendly Inn” Service Award, Progressive Action Council Carver Park LAC Appreciation Award, Cleveland Central Promise Neighborhood “You Make a Difference” Award, and the Progressive Action Council “Extra Mile” Appreciation Award, to name only a few. Bev was also an entrepreneur and with her creative spirit, she found numerous ways to express her talents while earning some additional money. There are so many in the community who wore her corsages and boutonnieres with pride for a myriad of celebratory events such as weddings and graduations. She also made beautiful wreaths to adorn doors and windows. Her loving spirit was captured in her cooking and she was a known resource for making dishes to support community events, family celebrations and a hungry soul who wanted a home cooked meal made with love. Additionally, Bev was a caregiver for many children in her family and in the neighborhood. She used to joke over the fact that she could not count the number of little heads over the years that found a warm and comforting spot on her bosom. Her Passions Bev was an artist at heart! She loved writing poetry throughout her life and developed quite a collection. Bev also flexed her artistic ingenuity creating jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets. As mentioned earlier, she also made corsages, boutonnieres and wreaths. She was an amazing cook and would always cook enough to feed any additional guests that would stop by. Bev loved family and enjoyed creating environments where people could gather to hang out and enjoy a meal, conversation, a card game and fun. Bev enjoyed nature, especially environments where she could look out at water and quietly reflect. Bev also loved to collect angel figurines. It is no wonder that she became affectionately known as “Angel Girl” by many due to her encouraging and loving nature. Finally, Bev absolutely loved music. It was not uncommon for her to spend all day listening to a variety of music as she did her chores, worked on projects, talked with family or just sat to enjoy and groove to whatever flavor of sounds she chose to play on that day. Her Humor Bev was always known to come up with all kinds of sayings and adages to express her feelings about a situation or encourage someone. Some of the more notable are: “Don’t let anybody steal your joy”, “Row your boat slowly”, “Lord put your heavenly arms around…”, “That’s not my monkey”, “Slow for the poor”, and “If I have your hand, I’ll be alright”. Her Legacy Bev became an instant mom of three when her sister, Willa Collier passed away. To prevent her niece and nephews from being separated, she unselfishly decided to raise Shenita, Noreece and DeAndre Collier as her own. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, sisters; Claudia “Bee” Turner, Florine “Flo” Collier, Barbara Jean Sullivan, and Willa Collier, brother-in-laws; Maxie Sullivan, and Walter Turner, nephews; Dwayne Jenkins and Darnell Sullivan. Sisters in love; Irma Jean Thomas, Essie Copeland, Rosa Lee Ivory and other numerous loved ones. She’s survived by nephews and nieces: Keith Jenkins, Charles (Deborah) Collier, Tonya (Michael) Bonner, Lavelle (Kitty) Sullivan, Sherrie Turner, Shenita Collier, Noreece Collier, DeAndre Collier, Sandra Welch and whole host of extended family both blood and chosen! The family would like to give special acknowledgement to Tia Smith and Chicquita Nelson for their longstanding friendship, loving care of Bev and compassionate support of the family. Her Poetry By Beverly Collier Endless Miracles Miracles are an unexplained resource That gives you back your natural essence of life And there are no limitations of miracles Just being alive today And seeing the beauty of life To embrace each day as a Gift from the creator and Living life with acceptance and gratitude When blessed with love, relatives and friends Who make life richer and more fulfilling And give thanks for the simple joys By letting Go and letting God Open the way for peace and prosperity in your life Sometimes letting go is the most loving thing to do When you could welcome joy into your life each and everyday! Bev - thank you for being a miracle in each of our lives. Whether you knew Bev as: Mom, Momma, Auntie, Sis, Sista Girl, Angel girl, Soldier, Warrior Princess or another loving name, her luminescent spirit will always be a light in our heart and an inspiration for our lives. 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Beverly Collier

November 3, 1951 - September 24, 2020