Jimmy Martin Collier

Jimmy Martin Collier, 88, of Enterprise, Alabama died on June 29, 2022 following a battle with lung cancer. Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements. A graveside service and burial will be held Saturday, July 2, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Meadowlawn Cemetery, 6121 Highway 27, Enterprise, AL. Jimmy was born in 1934 as the third son to George and Luzelle Collier in Opp, Alabama, where he grew up. He graduated from Kinston High School in 1952. He quickly got tired of plowing behind a mule, so he joined the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in 1955, where he met Margaret Rimer. They were married for 63 years. Jimmy, a certified optician, owned and operated Daleville Optical from 1963 until his retirement 20 years ago. He enjoyed working with numerous ophthalmologists to give the best care possible. Jimmy enjoyed helping patients of all ages with vision issues, but mainly, he just liked helping people. He was instrumental in establishing the Enterprise Rescue Squad in 1963 and was a charter member of the Lions Club of Daleville. In recognition, he was named the Enterprise Man of the Year in 1968 and was a recipient of the Lions Club International Foundation Melvin Jones Fellow award. In his retirement, he put on his navy coveralls and appointed himself as the “supervisor” of the family farm in Opp, Alabama. He took pride in instructing his brothers and especially nieces and nephews on how things should be done (his way, of course) and also educating them with his “words of wisdom”. They could always depend on him to provide family history and stories and to offer a “Thanks a Million” at the end of every conversation. He was an entrepreneur, a family historian, definitely a pincher of pennies, and a husband/brother/uncle that will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Collier; two brothers, George Collier, Jr (Helen) formerly of Opp; Jack Collier (Shirley) of Dothan; a sister in law, Gladys Rimer, of Gilbert, SC; and lifelong friends, Mary Jane Pennell, Paula Bell and Darlene Wise. Serving as active pallbearers will be his nephews: Jerry Barnes, Doyle Barnes, John Dwight Collier, Tommy Shirah, Michael Stringer, and Keith Dovre. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Enterprise Rescue Squad. Memorial contributions can be made to the Enterprise Rescue Squad, 519 East Lee Street, Enterprise, AL 36330. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jimmy Martin Collier, please visit our flower store.