Eva Rae Collier

Baytown sadly bids farewell to Eva Rae Collier, 89, its beloved librarian for over 50 years. Eva Rae passed on to her new home with God and loved ones who have gone before her on November 2, 2007 in Baytown. She always took a keen interest in the well-being of her family and took the time necessary to be a special friend to those around her. She touched many lives and will be sorely missed.

Eva Rae Collier was born to Georgia Etta Polk Collier and Frank Collier in Trinity, Texas on May 2, 1918. Her family lived in East Texas until 1931, when she was 12 years old, and they moved to Baytown’s Cedar Bayou area. Upon moving to Cedar Bayou, the Collier family promptly joined Trinity Tabernacle Church. Lifelong friends and brothers and sisters in Christ at Trinity Tabernacle played a major role in Eva Rae’s life these past 77 years. Part of her personal ministry was remembering and connecting with family and friends through greeting cards with special encouraging handwritten messages included during times of sickness, joy and sorrow, and always on birthdays!

Family was always top priority for Eva Rae. She was preceded in death by all of her siblings who included her older brother Ernest Collier, her older sister Pauline Collier Baldwin, her younger sister LaVelle Collier Elliott, and her baby brother J.D. Collier. Surviving relatives include her sister-in-law Louise M. Collier, her cherished friend and neighbor for over 37 years, and a sister-at-heart.

Eva Rae never married and had children of her own, but used her emotional energy and her time off work to take extraordinary interest in her nieces who include Ernestine Collier Klima, Barbara Collier Stephens, Parelee Collier Burgess, Denise Collier Burkholder, Carolyn D. Elliott, Kaye Elliott Butler, Deborah Elliott Beard, and “adopted” nieces Cheryl Bushie and Mary Theresa Oakes, and her nephews Michael Collier and Lynn Baldwin, as well as numerous great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews and a multitude of wonderful cousins. In addition, her lifelong friends and Sterling Municipal Library coworkers were like extended family to her. Essentially, Eva Rae relished playing the role of loving sister, aunt and grandmother to many loved ones outside her immediate family.

Eva Rae will always be remembered for her sharp mind, her amazing memory and attention to detail. She was mild mannered, always gracious and poised, but with a surprisingly dry wit, and had a quiet inner strength that allowed her to lead by example. She was the dearest of friends and had a special way of connecting with people and inspiring those around her to be their best. Eva Rae remained mentally engaged until her very last days, always interested in her family and friends and their well-being, always encouraging them, never absorbed with herself or her own problems.

Eva Rae’s lifelong passion as a librarian began back during the Great Depression. The National Youth Association had a job opening at the Harris County-Goose Creek Branch Library. She always enjoyed getting to know local families through her work at the library. She worked for the County Library for over 20 years until the Sterling Municipal City Library was almost ready to open. Eva Rae turned in her key to the County Library on October 31, 1962, and began work for the City library the following morning. She continued her work as librarian until she was over 71 years old when she retired on October 31, 1989. At her retirement party at the library City Manager Bobby Rountree said, “Someone else will do the work, but no one can take Eva Rae’s place.” That’s how we all feel today. No one can take Eva Rae’s place, but she will live on in our hearts and always be a part of us.

In lieu of other remembrances, memorial donations in honor of Miss Eva Rae Collier may be made to The Literacy Program at Sterling Municipal Library, ATTN: Erin Mehling, Mary E. Wilbanks Avenue, Baytown, TX 77520.

The family wishes to thank Continuum Home Health Care, Bay View Home Health Care Services, Remington Park Assisted Living, Dr. Anthony Zacharek, and especially Dr. Carrie Burns along with San Jacinto Hospital doctors and caring staff, as well as Dr. Daniel Nguyen and special staff at Triumph Hospital for all they did for our cherished Aunt Eva Rae during her last months. Special love and appreciation also goes to Eva Rae’s dear cousin Belle Skinner, and to Peter Lazard and Michele Monacy who were truly a Godsend to her and our family. Eva Rae’s faithful, loving friends were absolutely amazing, as well, and are a true blessing to all of us left behind.

Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, November 5, 2007 at the Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Baytown with Dr. Paul Savell and Rev. Larry Hayes officiating. Burial will follow at the San Jacinto Memorial Park in Houston.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 4, 2007 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with a sharing of memories to be from 4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Baytown.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Baytown, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281)422-8111.