Fadie Ruth Collier

~~Obituary and testimonial of Mother Fadie Ruth Collier, lovingly called “Zeen” by her brothers and sisters, age 84, went home to be with the Lord peacefully in her sleep, with her eldest daughter Cheryl by her bedside, on Friday, December 13, 2013 at the Zilber Hospice House in Wauwatosa, WI.  She was born Fadie Ruth Johnson on April 3, 1929, to the union of the late Rufus W. and Obie A. (nee: McHaney) Johnson in Jackson, TN.
Mother Collier became the wife of Ballard C. Collier on January 18, 1947, in which she shared over fifty two years of unconditional love and to this union they were blessed with five beautiful children.  It brought her great joy to be a wife, a loving mother, an adoring and powerful grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother.  Mother Collier was an incredible cook, and she loved taking care of her home and her family. Outside of serving the Lord, she loved traveling, eating and shopping. 
Mother Collier confessed her love for Christ at a young age.  After moving to Wisconsin she united with Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. E.M. Kelly and later the late Rev. Willie Wanzo Sr., she loved singing in the senior choir and doing whatever else her hands could find to do.  She was a long time member of Believers In Christ Worship Center, under the leadership of Bishop Cheryl McBride Brown, whom she loved dearly.  Mother Collier was faithfully committed to her calling in various areas of ministry, serving as a leader, prayer warrior, counselor, teacher, ministerial assistant, encourager, a companion, she provided home care and visitation to the sick and shut in. She became a confidant to those that were physically and spiritually in need.
She was affectionately known as; Mother Fadie and Mother Collier, a powerful and wise church mother, a leader, a woman of wisdom, an entrusted servant of God, who studied to shew herself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  Mother Collier walked in integrity; she was a strong, devoted, steadfast and unmovable Woman of God.  Mother Collier would always provide a warm and caring family environment for people of all walks of life.  Her continuous kindness, tireless efforts, endless patience and unfailing love, has left a legacy that will forever be etched in the hearts of those whose lives she touched.  She would often say “Love people regardless, even those that are hard to love”.  Mother Collier was genuinely the true matriarch of the family; she not only taught her family in words but also in deeds, about the love of God.   She loved laughing and having fun as well as, taking care of and spending time with her family, babies, the youth, teens, close friends and her numerous children in the Lord.  She would talk daily with her sisters Ethel and Lerlene, about various things from; sports to the awesome power of God. 
Mother Collier’s words were always seasoned with grace and planted with care.  She ministered to many people throughout her life until she was no longer able to communicate verbally or physically.   Mother Collier faced life challenges with a smile, strong faith and a made mind up mind to continue to serve God, even when life seemed unkind and impossible to bear.
Mother Collier was a reflection of her Lord and savior Jesus Christ, one of her many favorite scriptures was Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  She was that virtuous woman mention in Proverbs 31: 10-31, her children and all those who knew her would arise up, and called her blessed.  She was by definition, extraordinary and outstandingly remarkable, and God’s Phenomenal Women.
Mother Collier leaves to follow in her footsteps and to keep her love of Christ alive, her children; Cheryl (Carlton) Jordan, Benjamin C. (Cheryl C.) Collier, Rodney D. (Carolyn W.) Collier, Karen B. (Rickey) Ferguson,  Nancy M. Ferguson, grandchildren; Genesis, Demetrius (Veronica) Jordan, Shekinah (Jarton) Davis, Delames Deon Jones, Tamara R. Bolden, Akenke Khalifa Collier, Kia Delease Collier-Miles, Benjamin Clifford Collier II, Kahif Deon Bateen Kincaid, Jeffrey Lamont Pope, Yejide A’beje Kincaid, Olainka Fade Ruth Kincaide, Roddell Dewayne Collier, Marrion Rodney Lampley, Marqui Ramon Lampley, Patrice Lynette Butler, Shereita Walker, Melita Johnson, Markel Johnson, Mario Johnson, Quantell J. Collier, Deanna L. Carson, D’Andre Ferguson, over 20 great grandchildren, many great great grandchildren, two wonderful and loving sisters, Ethel Thomas of Tennessee and Lerlene Brooks of Ohio, Darryl Ferguson, many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, her church family and friends too numerous to mention by name.  Mother Collier was preceded in death by, her husband; Ballard C. Collier, both parents; Rufus and Obie Johnson, siblings; Londell Johnson, Morris Johnson, Ylyess Johnson, Lula Thomas, Hugh Johnson and Robbie Ruth.
She acknowledges that when she was unable to attend service at her own church, she sat under the leadership and teaching of Pastors Willie and Patricia Scott, Christian Faith Fellowship Church-Racine, WI.
The family would like to offer their heartfelt appreciation to the members of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, her precious Pastor:  Bishop Cheryl McBride Brown and the members of Believers In Christ Worship Center, Pastor Willie and Patricia Scott and the members, families and friends of Christian Faith Fellowship Church – Racine and the staff at the Zilber Hospice house, for their compassionate care during her transition from this life.
Mom’s Heart to heart words: “Remember your words are powerful and that they hold the power of life and death”.   There is a season for everything, but do not allow your season of grieving to keep you from remembering that life does go on and the best way to remember me is to let Jesus be reflected in your life.”