Charles Collie

Charles Reid Collie, Sr., 91 of Hickory died Wednesday, January 13th, 2016 at Abernethy Laurels Retirement Home. Born July 8th, 1924 in Mecklenburg County, he was son of the late Alexander Garfield Collie and Lillian Hall Collie. His wife of 70 years, Emma Louise Briggs Collie of the home; a daughter, Dianne Duke and husband Alton "Sailor" of Monroe; four sons, Reid Collie and wife Jean of Hickory, Wayne Collie and wife Cindy of Charlotte, Darrell Collie and wife Lisa of Simpsonville, SC, and Alan Collie and wife Kim of Newton; a daughter-in-law, Kim Collie of Winston-Salem; fourteen grandchildren, Tracy Stilwell, Brian Stilwell, Ray Duke, Scott Duke, Mike Collie, David Vines, Tommy Vines, Tim Collie, Jeff Collie, Ashley Mauldin, Matthew Collie, Seth Collie, Tori Collie, and Gracie Collie; and 14 great-grandchildren, Noah, Jude, and Ella Stilwell, Logan, Reece, and Graham Collie, Chloe Vines, Lauren and Meredith Collie, Carson and Hudson Collie; and Eli, Landon, and Mackynzie Mauldin survive him. A son, Tommy Collie; two brothers, A. G. Collie and Johnny Collie; two sisters, Elizabeth Brookshire and Helen Allen preceded him in death. After graduating from Central High School in Charlotte, NC (1943), marrying his teenage sweetheart (and neighbor) in 1946, and following two years of service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Charles owned and operated a small appliance store in Charlotte, NC. During these years, six children were born to the home. In 1962, the family moved to Hickory and Charles opened Appliance Repair, Incorporated (ARI), where he worked as owner/manager until his retirement in 1981. His children, and many other individuals he mentored, will attest to the work ethic they learned from the example he set. Having placed his faith in Christ at an early age, Charles enjoyed studying and teaching the Bible. He earned a certificate from the Charlotte Bible Institute and served throughout his adult life as Sunday School teacher, Royal Ambassador leader, and deacon. He loved playing and coaching softball and helped organize the Catawba Valley Men’s Church Softball League. During his retirement years, he worked part-time as a commuter for Hendrick Motors of Hickory and enjoyed working in his yard. As one of the earliest Crawdad Baseball fans and season ticket holders, he attended many games and enjoyed giving baseball tickets to friends, family, and neighbors; he developed a route in the Hickory area where he regularly placed Crawdad schedules to help promote the team and the sport he loved. Despite his large family, he always had room in his heart, at his table—or better yet, beside him at a ballgame—for his many adopted children and grandchildren that continued to grow in number even as a resident of Abernethy Laurels, where he resided for the past year. Charles was a dedicated follower of Christ, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and neighbor. He displayed a quiet and uncommon strength that underlies his greatest passions in life—God, family and country. The service will be 1:00 pm, Monday, January 18th, 2016 at Jenkins Funeral Home chapel with the Reverend Dale Faulkenbury officiating. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park with Military Rites provided by American Legion Post #16. Pallbearers include grandsons; Brian Stilwell, Ray Duke, Scott Duke, Mike Collie, David Vines, Tommy Vines, Tim Collie, Jeff Collie, Matthew Collie and Seth Collie. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm–1:00 pm on Monday, January 18th, 2016 at the Celebration Center at Jenkins Funeral Home. Please sign the guestbook at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Collie family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.