Hugh Collie Jr

“Victory is mine, Victory is mine, Victory today is mine, I told Satan, “Get thee behind!” Victory today is mine. Joy is mine, Joy is mine, Joy today is mine.” Hugh Collie Sr., 94, 314 West Eighth Ave., Johnson City slipped from this world into Eternity on Monday morning, July 29, 2019 when God summoned His Angel of Death to Hugh’s bedside as his family stood guard at his home and this angel gently whispered to him in a voice only he could hear, “Hugh, you told your family, you only want to see Jesus and your baby, Shirley, and now I am here to escort you to the Father’s House.” He was the son of the late Hugh and Rev. Edna Bell Eatman Collie, born on Aug. 23, 1924 in Montgomery, Ala. While a child, he and his younger brother, the late Fred M. Collie moved to Johnson City, Tn. where his family became a fixture on West Chilhowie and later West Eighth Avenue. The Collie family became synonymous with church, business, and civic contributions. Hugh accepted Jesus at an early age and joined Thankful Baptist Church remaining a faithful member for 85 years, a fact which he would proudly interject in conversation, not as a boast but as an invitation to check one’s own relationship with Jesus Christ because he took his role as a soldier on the battlefield of life seriously. He served Thankful over the years in many roles including Superintendent of the Sunday School, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Trustee, member of the Men’s Choir, and a Deacon. He was educated in the Johnson City School System and was a proud member of the Langston High School community being the last surviving member of the graduating class of 1943. Shortly after graduation he answered the patriotic call to serve his country in the United States Army during World War II where one of his duties overseas was in mortuary services on the battlefield. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Hugh returned to Johnson City and joined his father as a partner in the family owned business, Collie Dry Cleaning Company where he remained employed until 1950 when he and his late wife, Shirley Jane Rhea Collie were united in holy matrimony on Aug. 23, 1950 officiated by his mother at the Collie home. When asked why he chose that date to marry his bride, he replied “that by marrying on his birthday he would never forget his anniversary!” This union would last for 67 years when Shirley was called to Heaven’s Gates on October 15, 2017 and for the remainder of his days he grieved for her and longed for the day that they would once again be reunited. Following their marriage Hugh and his bride moved to Dayton, Ohio where he accepted an employment position but returned to Johnson City after a short period to work for Inter Mountain Telephone Company and remained there until his retirement 32 years later. Following his retirement he supported Shirley in her decorating business venture, The Rose of Sharonand quite often was involved in the behind scenes jobs always with a smile. Hugh and Shirley welcomed four children to their union but ever so graciously extended their home to several children over the years who needed shelter, love, and guidance, some had biological connections and others were simply related by the thread of being one of God’s children. Recognizing a need for an organization that would bring continuity to the segregated black community perpetuating education, civic, and social awareness and growth, Hugh founded the Progress Together Club Inc. affectionately known as the Pro-To Club in 1952 along with four other black business and like-minded men, the late Dr. Eugene Kilgore, Douglas Ledford, Edward Carson, and Willie Norris. They worked diligently within the school communities of Dunbar Elementary, Douglas Elementary, and Langston High School and by 1957 were able to have enough club members to award the first academic scholarship of $50.00 to one Langston senior and as the years continued by 2019 the annual award has grown to four scholarships of $1250.00 a piece to local high school seniors. Hugh is the last of the Founders of the Pro-To Club as well as West Eighth Avenue “Elders” and his absence will be felt by many; however, his torch can remain lit as in his footsteps we walk with the same spirit of love for Jesus, family and community that he modeled. In addition to his wife, parents, brother, brother-in-law, sister-in law, he is predeceased by one grandson, Jared Isom and a sister-cousin, Wilhemenia “Me-Me” Jackson. He leaves to mourn; one son, Christopher Collie (Kim), three daughters, Huetta Isom, Ovetta Thomas (Charles), Lisa Sanders (Allen), all of Johnson City; 9 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; several nephews, nieces and extended family; prayer partner, Rev. Dr. C. H. Charlton; and special couple, John and Margaret Smith, Mountain City. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course; I have kept the faith.” Funeral services will be held Friday August 2, 2019 at Thankful Baptist Church in Johnson CIty, the family will receive friends from 11:30pm until 12:30pm at the church prior to the service. Interment will be held at the Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson CIty.

Hugh Collie Jr

August 23, 1924 - July 29, 2019