Mary Collier-Smith

Mary Louise Collier-Smith was born on November 16, 1944, in Denver, Colorado. She was born to the union of Cornelius Collier, Sr. and Elnora Sullivan Collier. She was the first child born in the family. She was raised surrounded by her brothers, Cornelius, Jr., Alfred and Robert. She was very proud of caring for her younger siblings. A favorite childhood memory was that of Mary playing church and she was the preacher. In the middle of her preaching; a fly flew in her mouth. Mary received her formal education in Denver, Colorado, where she graduated from Manual High School in 1963. She was a loyal and dedicated "Manual High School Thunderbolt." She truly enjoyed the fellowship shared with her class mates and she looked forward to the class reunions and all the special moments shared with each of them. She furthered her education by enrolling in the Nursing Program at General Rose Hospital completing courses to become a Registered Nurse. On August 26, 1966, Mary united in holy matrimony to Adolph Leaks in Denver, Colorado. To this union, Tina and Tamra were born; with this union, Angela and Catherine were added to the family. On May 24, 1983, she wed, Joseph English. There were no children born to this union. On April 5, 1994, she married, George E. Smith; with this union, Bruce, Yvonne and Doric, were added to the family. The family shared many happy and precious moments together. She was blessed with fourteen grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren, and twelve great-great grandchildren, who all were a source of joy and pride in her life. They affectionately called her "Nana" or "grandma" and fondly remembered her always feeding them during visits to her home and reminding them to put coats and gloves on in the winter. By profession, Mary was employed by General Rose Hospital and was a Registered Nurse for St. Joseph's Hospital. She remained in that career field for over seventeen years. She then became employed by Wells Fargo Bank as a Cash Vault and Remittance Processing Clerk. She remained in that position for twenty three years, retiring in 1997. A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Mary accepted the Lord as her personal savior early in her life. She was baptized in 1952, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend C.A. Miller at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church. She re-dedicated her life in 2004, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Randolph C. West, Jr. She has been a faithful and dedicated member. She truly loved her church, her pastor and the wisdom and knowledge; she gained as she studied the Bible. Mary was a fun-loving woman, who enjoyed life and spending quality time with her family, often having family gatherings in her home. In her free time, she enjoyed cooking, writing, sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking and decorating handmade cards for family and friends. She carried a warm personality that welcomed others. She had a natural innate ability to make others feel at ease and she could diffuse a situation where tensions and emotions could potentially arise. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet but simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of her family, friends, colleagues, associates and church members. She believed in family harmony and unity. She vowed that she would do whatever necessary to keep her family together. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind, wonderful and phenomenal woman. To know Mary was to love her. She is preceded in death by her husband, George E. Smith; a daughter, Yvonne Armstrong; her father, Cornelius Collier, Sr.; her mother, Elnora Collier and a brother, Cornelius Collier, Jr.; and her ex-husband, Adolph Leaks. Mary Louise Collier-Smith departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on March 15, 2016, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include four daughters, Tina L. Leaks, Tamra L. (Nathaniel) Cooper, Angela Leaks and Catherine M. Leaks all of Denver, Colorado; two sons, Bruce E. (Regina) Smith of Stafford, Virginia and Doric D. (Donna) Smith of Columbia, South Carolina; two brothers, Alfred Collier of Broomfield, Colorado and Robert L. (Karla) Collier of Aurora, Colorado; 14 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 3/21/2016 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 3/22/2016 at 10:00 AM - St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 3/22/2016 at 2:00 PM - Highland Cemetery - 10201 Grant Street Thornton, CO