Arthur Collier Obituary

Arthur Breland Collier, Jr. went to be with his Lord on July 12, 2025 after an extended illness. He was born on November 1, 1941 in Charleston, South Carolina to parents Arthur Breland ("Bill") and Aline Tuten Collier. The family, including his younger brother, James ("Jim") David Collier, lived in Charleston until moving to Walterboro, South Carolina when Art was in middle school. He graduated from Walterboro High School in 1959, then attended Mars Hill College, Pfeiffer College and Southeastern Baptist Seminary. He served in various ministry positions throughout the years until beginning a new career with American Red Cross, where he met his wife, Kerry, in 1972. This career moved them to Columbia, South Carolina in 1989. Following Art's work at Red Cross, he worked for The Cooperative Ministry (TCM), an interfaith agency in Columbia which serves the low income community. He served as director of the car ministry at TCM, then as interim Executive Director when Reverend Joe Alley retired from that position in early 2001. Art was appointed Executive Director in August 2001 and served in that position until his retirement in February 2008. Art and Kerry have been married for 51 years. Throughout these years, they have been very involved in church activities and traveling both in the United States and abroad in Europe, Asia and Africa, always voicing his appreciation for God's handiwork in all parts of nature. Art's hobby in earlier years was singing barbershop harmony, including several quartets based in North Carolina and Tennessee. He also served as music director in various churches in Virginia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Art will be remembered by all he touched in his professional and personal pursuits for his kindness, compassion and warm sense of humor. Art is survived by his wife, Kerry; daughter Karen Gale Collier of Cary, North Carolina; and daughter Jennifer Collier Wilson (Patrick) of Asheville, North Carolina. The family would like to thank the many friends who have provided support, love, meals and prayers during his illness. The family also thanks the care team members from Heart of Hospice who provided care for Art. A visitation with friends and family will take place on July 16, 2025 at 2 o'clock in the fellowship hall of Sandy Level Baptist Church in Blythewood, South Carolina. A viewing will be possible preceding Art's service which will be held in the church's sanctuary at 3 o'clock. Burial will be in Kerry's hometown of Mooresville, North Carolina, where he will be interred at Glenwood Memorial Park on July 17, 2025 at 11 o'clock after a graveside service for family members and friends. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Shives Funeral Home (Trenholm Road location) in Columbia, SC and Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville, NC. If you wish to make a contribution in memory of Art, in lieu of flowers please make it to The Cooperative Ministry in Columbia or Sandy Level Baptist Church in Blythewood.