Laura Collier

Laura Dance Collier, 85, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2012 at Southside Regional Medical Center. Born in Chesterfield County, she was the daughter of the late Ralph A. and Rachel Gill Dance, and was preceded in death by a brother, A. Gilbert Dance. Mrs. Collier was a member of the Ettrick United Methodist Church. She was a graduate of Petersburg High School, First Team All-State Field Hockey player, was proud to be a part of the first team to defeat St. Catherine's in field hockey, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Madison College. She retired from Fort Lee as an Education Specialist with 30 years of service. She had a love for animals and birds, as well as surf fishing in Hatteras, but her passion was loving her family. She is survived by her husband, Nathaniel M. Collier Jr.; children, Jennifer Rachel Brockwell and husband, Ben of Matoaca, and Nathaniel M. (Mac) Collier III and wife, Lu Ann of Sutherland; four grandsons, Bruce Perkinson and wife, Celena, Nathaniel M. (Macon) Collier IV and fiancée, Melissa Spicer, Jason Brockwell and wife, Yelba, Phillip A. Collier and Lindsay LeGrand; two great-grandchildren, Brycen and Ava Perkinson. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2012 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard with the Reverend Bob Lamb officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Chester. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ettrick United Methodist Church, 21302 Chesterfield Avenue, Ettrick, Virginia 23803.