Joseph Collie

March 2, 2021

As we reflect on the life of Joseph Micah Collie, we can hold in our hearts and memory all of the good that characterized his life of sixty-one years. Joseph made his transition from his earthly home into his eternal home with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, TN. He was born on August 31, 1959 in Dayton, OH, the son of the late Rev. Melvin F. Collie and Bertha A. McAdams Collie. Joseph excelled in high school, he graduated a year early from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Dayton Ohio. After graduation Joseph moved to Johnson City, TN. To many Joseph was affectionately known as “Joey”. As a young man growing up Joseph was taught that a man was to work six days and on the seventh day rest, which meant being in church all day. He came from a working family; his grandfather was the first black man to own and operate his own dry-cleaning business in Johnson City. In his career Joseph worked in several places in Johnson City, most of the time working two jobs: Hardees, Long John Silver, Kendal Metal, City of Johnson City, US Postal Office and Snap On Tools as a certified machine engineer. Joseph accepted the Lord at an early age and served Him with his whole heart. He walked by faith and talked about the Lord to everyone that would listen. Joseph liked reading the word of God and memorizing bible scriptures, he loved to worship! While living in Dayton, OH he attended First Thessalonian Missionary Baptist Church where his father was assistant pastor for many years and later became the pastor. After coming to Johnson City, Joseph was a member at Friendship Baptist Church, Open Door Tabernacle, and his final place of worship was Grace Temple Church Eternal Life Center under the pastorate of District Elder Mark Redd. Joseph was a quiet man, but his passions were gardening, singing, writing songs and cooking. He enjoyed getting his hands in the dirt and nurturing both inside and outside greenery. The Lord blessed him with an angelic voice that when he sang, he had a range from false soprano down to baritone and everything in between. He sang in the Boy’s Club Glee Choir, high school choir, family duets/quartets, ETSU Gospel Ensemble, church choirs and with many other singers. Joseph was an excellent cook; he liked to experiment and make up his own recipes. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, Joseph would be outside putting something on the grill, he liked being outside in his quiet place, cooking and talking with the Lord. Joseph was a highly intelligent man and he loved to draw very intricate designs of the dreams that the Lord placed in his heart. He was a true example of the meaning of his name “May Jehovah add/give increase” because he never settled for what was in front of him, he always dreamed of having more. Joseph had a deep affection for his family and would give the shirt off his back if anyone were in need. There was nothing like the good times when the family came together to share memories from childhood growing up, laughing, and eating some of their mother’s cooking, especially her mouth-watering rolls. Joseph cherished his father and mother, he even moved back to Dayton for a while and helped them at the church and with some of their community work. He loved his children, especially his grandchildren, and did all that he could for them, family meant the world to him. Joseph leaves to cherish his memory; three loving and devoted children, Skyy Collie, Micah (Brandi) Collie, Caleb Collie, Johnson City, TN: Six siblings, Frederick (Saundra) Collie, Dayton, OH: Phillip (Cynthia) Collie, Washington Courthouse, OH; Berthanna (Dennis) Oxendine, Hugh B. Collie, Solomon (Gail) Collie and Darlene (Keith) Harvey, Johnson City, TN. Five adoring grandchildren, Nehemiah Collie, Brennedy Lascola, Charlie Collie, Nathaniel Collie and John Micheal Collie, Johnson City, TN and a dear friend and mother of his children, Anna Collie. Graveside services will be held at 2:30pm Saturday March 13, 2021 at Westlawn Cemetery.