Vesta Mae Collier

I,Vesta Collier, was born in the wooded pines of Lindale, Texas, I entered this world under the care of the same doctor who had once delivered my father. My parents, though young when they married, built a life together in which my father initially worked in a sawmill.

When I was four, we moved to Hubbard, Texas, where my father began farming. In 1930, we relocated to Grapevine. It was there that we experienced the sorrow of losing my baby brother, who lived only 23 hours.

As a child, I attended school in Grapevine, and lived in a two-story house. My siblings and I helped with farm work, chopping weeds in the cornfields and gathering vegetables for my father to sell at the Dallas market. At the tender age of 12, I faced the heartbreak of losing my mother. Soon after, our family moved to Dallas.

As the eldest of five children, I cherished my relationships with my three brothers and one sister. At the age of 18, I married Jesse Shaw. Six weeks later, Jesse departed for India to serve in World War II. Together, we created a home filled with love and memories, including a summer home on Possum Kingdom Lake where our three children—Linda, Jesse Jr., and Dee Anna—enjoyed swimming, fishing, and skiing. Those years were truly wonderful.

After Jesse's passing in 1978, I embraced life as a widow for 13 years before finding love again with James Collier. Our marriage brought 20 years of joy and companionship until his passing in 2011.

My journey, marked by love, resilience, and the beauty of family, has been a rich and fulfilling one.

I leave behind to cherish my memories are 3 children, 3 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.