GORDO Nella Jean Juanita Pike Collier, age 85, of Gordo, died September 23, 2013, at Northport Medical Center. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2013, at Highland Baptist Church with Rev. Shawn McDaniel, Rev. David Singleton and Rev. Dawson Morrison officiating. Burial will follow in Greenhill Memorial Gardens with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. "Buddy" Collier; her parents; sisters, Ruby Pike Holder, Ruth Laverne Pike Burns and infant sister, Vivian Earlene Pike; brothers, Joe William Pike, J. B. Pike, and Doris Victor Pike; and daughter-in-law, Lyna Burns.

Survivors include her daughter, Vicki C. Latham (Jimmy) of Gordo, Ala.; sons, James W. Collier, Jr. (Loranette) of Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Vidmer "Junior" Burns of Greensboro, Ala.; sister-in-law, Ola Murl Pike of Gordo, Ala.; grandchildren, Ashley Collier Haynes (Gifford), James W. "Trey" Collier III (Abby), April Latham Price (Matthew), Jamie Latham, Victor Edwards Burns (Mary), Steven Burns (Jeanne) and Stacia Burns; great-grandchildren, Emma Michelle Haynes, Gifford Bennett Haynes IV, Braxton David Price, Collier Ellison Price, Abbie Grace Smith, Jack Burns, Kathryn Burns, Elizabeth Burns, and Steven Lane Burns. She loved her extended family across the South and especially her nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Collier was born May 28, 1928 in Navoo, Walker County, Alabama to the late Victor H. Pike and Emma Lavada Chain Pike. At an early age, her family moved to Coalfire and she spent the remaining years of her life as a proud resident of Pickens County. She and Buddy were married for 61 years. For many of those years, Juanita was employed at the Westinghouse plant in Reform. In her later years, she was well known as a seamstress. She was excited and joyful to learn of any new expectant mothers so she could crochet another baby blanket. Many Pickens County residents today were lucky recipients of these baby blankets and other hand-made items.

Juanita will be remembered for her amazing love for family, friends and all babies and children. She loved gospel music and especially the Inspirations singing group who would detour their tour bus just to visit Juanita and Buddy and to enjoy her bountiful, home-cooked meals. She enjoyed many, many hours from her living room window watching the birds, deer and other wildlife.

Pallbearers will be James William "Trey" Collier III, Gifford B. Haynes III, Matthew David Price, Steven Burns, Jerry Pike, Ronnie Holder, Kenny Pike and Mark Burns.

Honorary pallbearers are special friends, neighbors, and caregivers and Dr. Drake Lavender.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Highland Baptist Church, 694 7th Court NW, Gordo, AL 35466; or Eagles Wings, P.O. Box 1652, Northport, AL 35476 .