A funeral service for Mr. Elijah Collier, Sr., age 98, of DeBerry, TX, will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Wilburt Hall, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in Centennial Cemetery the Centennial Community of Panola County, TX. A wake service will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Mr. Collier passed away on Friday morning, May 17, 2013, in Longview.

Elijah Collier, Sr. was born on Dec. 22, 1914, in DeBerry, Panola County, TX to the late Matt and Shirley Bowman Collier. He married Phillis Owens and she preceded him in death on Oct. 26, 1996. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII and was honorably discharged. Elijah was a mason and worked as a farmer all of his life. He lived his lifetime in DeBerry where he was a member of the Church of the Living God. Elijah was also preceded in death by his five brothers; three sisters; two granddaughters, Dian and Abra Collier; and a daughter-in-law, Sarah Collier.

Mr. Collier is survived by seven sons, Robert Adams and wife Fairy of Los Angeles, Joseph Collier and wife Jeanette of DeBerry, Elijah Collier, Jr. and wife Johnnie of Carthage, Don Collier of Palestine, Jimmy Collier and wife Gloria of DeBerry, Arthur Collier and wife Loretta of DeBerry, and Juan Strong and wife Linda Annette of Carthage; one daughter, Zora Ephraim of DeBerry; 15 grandchildren; and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mr. Collier.

Serving as pallbearers are Arthur Brooks, James Brooks, Sr., Jeff Brooks, S. T. Burns, John Williams, and Johnny Ragster.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Joseph Collier, Elijah Collier, Jr., Don Collier, Jimmy Collier, Sr., Arthur Collier, and Jimmy Collier, Jr., Raymond Collier, and Juan Strong.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.