Minister Clara Lee Fort Collier of  409 Posey Street, Vienna, Georgia died Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary of Fresh Oil Ministry in Vienna, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Vienna City Cemetery in Vienna, Georgia.

On October 10, 1952, our beloved Clara Lee Fort Collier was   welcomed to this world.  She was born in Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia to Mr. Nick Fort and Ms. Clara Mae Deriso.

She received her education from the Crisp County School System.

She was a minister and faithful member of Fresh Oil Ministries.

An excellent cook, she also fellowshipping with her family.  Her greatest joys were singing and sewing.

A former lead singer with The Black Velvet Band, she was known affectionately as "Lady C. C."  The band traveled, performed and met many people along the way.

Never a stranger to work, she was formerly employed by Tyson Foods.  She also had previously worked at various sewing factories in the Crisp and Dooly areas.

A genuine love for God, she willingly served Him and  the people of God.  A loving mother and grandmother, she loved people.  She never met a stranger.  It has been said that the only dumb question is one that is never asked.  She never had a problem asking questions.

On Saturday, January 20, 2024, she traded to cares of this life for a life of eternal rest.  Her parents, her husband, Mr. Charles Collier; her daughters, Ms. Shawonda Collins and Ms. Ella Mae Collins; and her siblings, Ms. Alice Floyd, Mr. Melbin (Linda) Fort, Mr. Roosevelt Fort, and Mr. Bobby (Valorie) Fort, each  precede her in death.

She leaves cherished and loving memories to her loving and  devoted children, Mr. Frank Collins, Jr. of Buffalo, New York, Mr. Christopher Collins of Vienna, Georgia, Mr. Gregory B. Collins of Syracuse, New York, Mr. Jeronica Collins, Sr. and Ms. Shan T. Collins of Vienna, Georgia, Ms. Shari L. Collins and Mr. Willie Collins of Cordele, Georgia, and Ms. Dorothy J. Beazer of Tampa, Florida; 15 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; her loving sisters, Mrs. Gale (Jonah) Seymour, Mrs. Rosa (Larry) Mays, and Ms. Betty Fort of Syracuse, New York and Ms. Gloria Fort of Cordele, Georgia; her aunt, Mrs. Jessie Mae (Elmo) Fuller of Americus, Georgia; her in-laws, Ms. Diane Black and Mrs. Donna Collier Jones of Unadilla, Georgia, Mr. Larry (Mary) Collier and Mr. James (Rutha) Collier, and Overseer Annie (Elder Leroy) Reynolds of Vienna, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; other relatives and many sorrowing friends, to include, Ms. Lessie Lango, Ms. Vivian White and Mr. Jerry Sutton, Sr. of Vienna, Georgia, Ms. Clara McGill and Dr. Frankie Harmon of Cordele, Georgia, and Ms. Betty Nell Thomas of Desoto, Georgia.