of Conway, AR

August 15, 1940 - April 14, 2021

Late on the evening of April 14th Conway lost one of its brightest lights. Brenda Jane Parker Collier, loving wife of Rev. John R. Collier, left this earth for her heavenly home. In addition to her husband, Brenda leaves two daughters, Shannon Collier-Tenison and Mardi Bowen along with their husbands, David Collier-Tenison and Mike Bowen, and five grandsons: Collier, Drew, and Aaron Bowen and Sam and Jacob Collier-Tenison. She is preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Norris, and her parents, Chan and Ada Parker.

Brenda was a precocious and fearless child. Her father, Chan, a pharmacist, moved the family too many times to count before she was in middle school. They lived in Kensett, Paris (AR), Conway, and many other towns until they finally landed in Harrisburg and her mother, Ada, decreed that she would not move again. Brenda enjoyed spending time with her cousins in Paris and she created a strong circle of friends in Harrisburg who stayed close until the end.

Brenda and John met at Hendrix College and were married in 1964, soon after graduation. Brenda began her career as an elementary school teacher in Little Rock (40 first graders!), as John joined the Navy. Brenda continued teaching in Texas when John attended seminary and then they returned home to Arkansas in 1968 to lead the Methodist Children's Home in Little Rock.

Brenda was a caring, dedicated teacher for more than 30 years. She taught in schools across eastern Arkansas, moving when John was charged with a new church. While working full-time, she commuted to ASU-Jonesboro to earn her Master's in Education, after which she moved from regular classrooms to gifted and talented and Title I, making a huge impact on children in many parts of rural Arkansas. Brenda could spot a child in need in a New York minute and she nurtured those children by showing them the opportunities that come with education. She would take the rowdiest students in her classroom under her wing and after a year in her classroom the positive behavior changes were evident. She loved to offer experiences that could expose her students to the world beyond the confines of their own small towns.

Brenda was a great partner to John in the churches they served. She was always involved in community and church activities, teaching Vacation Bible School, Sunday School classes, and directing weddings. In fact, she made quite a name for herself across denominations for her organization and direction of weddings, at least 50 along the way. Brenda was known also for her annual Christmas reception for the congregations they served. It only took one year for folks to learn not to eat dinner before the reception. Brenda would plan and bake for weeks ahead of time, often with help from her daughters and sons in law. No one ever left hungry.

Brenda loved her family, and especially her five grandsons, fiercely. She declined to be known as ''grandma'' (although the boys loved to tease her with this moniker) and, beginning with the first grandson, she fully embraced her nickname of simply ''B''. Brenda made a point to try to give each of her grandsons time alone with her in the summers, creating a summer reading camp or weekends with B. This time with her was precious and created so many life-long memories.

Brenda was a caretaker for many years, for her daughters and her grateful husband, as well as for her parents as they faced health issues and dementia in their later years. She was a primary support for her sister, Margaret, when her health failed as well, as the sisters had always been close. Brenda loved her nephews as her own. She had a strong interest in genealogy and self-published a history of her parents' lives as well as a book for Margaret. She was close to completing her own history, B and Buzz, before getting derailed by her health issues.

The impact of Brenda's years of teaching, her involvement in her church and community, and her love for family cannot be overstated. Her absence will be felt by many, none more so than her loving husband, John, who will forever feel a little lost without her.

A visitation for Brenda will be Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Her funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church, Conway, Arkansas, on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 2:00pm. Final interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Conway, Arkansas, following her service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Missions at First United Methodist Church, Conway, Arkansas.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR  72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com