Mrs. Diane Slappy Collier

Diane Slappy Suggs Collier passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021, a little over 4 weeks after having 2 massive strokes and 2 brain surgeries. A memorial service will be held at Unity Baptist Church in Sylvester, GA on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 3:00. The family will receive friends at 2:00 until the service. Diane overcame many health issues in her life and lived a full life despite those problems. She had a real, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so there is no doubt that she is in eternity with Him. She was born on January 28, 1952 in the old Sylvester hospital to her late parents, Charlie Melvin Slappy and Ida Maude Brewer Slappy (married to Clyde Holman upon her death). Diane grew up in Worth County while she was living with her beloved dad and brothers, and she grew up in different places, mainly Albany, while living with her mama. She had two older brothers, Melvin Slappy (Kathy) of Dawson, GA and the late Jerry Slappy (Wanda-deceased as well), and one younger sister from her mother, Leigh Ann Paramore of Marianna, FL, who did not "discover" the family until Diane was an adult. Her 3 siblings have 12 children (Melvin- 8, Jerry- 2, and Leigh Ann-2). Diane loved all of her nieces and nephews and enjoyed seeing them when she could and hearing about their lives. She had a special bond with many of them, including her niece Julie Slappy, Wanda's daughter. Diane had two children (both from her first husband)- Christopher Suggs of Jacksonville, FL, and Michelle Suggs of Sylvester, GA. Diane was affectionately known as Baby to her dad and two older brothers, but her favorite name was Mimi! She had two granddaughters, whom she loved very much, and she loved spending time with them both- Lydia Suggs (parents- Chris Suggs and Sarah Suggs) and Bailey Suggs (parent- Michelle Suggs). Diane's second marriage was to John Allen Collier. Although her two step-children were grown when they married, she loved both of them and their children- Elaine Tyus (husband Doug and children Rachel, DJ, and Mariah) of Jacksonville, FL and John Allen, Jr. (wife Nicole and daughter Emma) of Fernandina Beach, FL. John has 4 living siblings- Rick Collier (Karen) of Ohio, and Diane Finley (Roger), Sonja Steele, and Scott Wadkins (Sandra) all of Florida- and one deceased sister-Debra Sigmon. Besides both of her parents and her brother Jerry, Diane was preceded in death by her sister-in-law and life-long best friend, Wanda Sue McLemore Slappy. Diane had an entire bonus family through her best friend. She spent many days, nights, and vacations with Wanda's parents- John and Flora McLemore, and sisters- Penny Perryman (Mike) of Jacksonville, FL, Diana Pratt (Lee) of Prattville, AL, and Vickie Willis (Larry) of Monticello, GA. The four McLemore girls have 7 children. Although she grew up with many major struggles, Diane loved to reminisce about her wonderful daddy, her brothers, her childhood, different places she lived with her daddy, and different places she lived with her mama. She also loved sitting on her front porch looking at the trees and flowers and watching the birds. She loved hummingbirds, hawks, eagles, and most of all, owls. She enjoyed her dogs and her cats and had a special bond with several of them throughout her life, most recently with her dogs Izzy and Gracie and her kitties Spot and Luna. She also enjoyed nature channels, and her favorite wild animals were alligators and buffaloes. She and her granddaughter Bailey loved watching mysteries, such as Monk, Perry Mason, and Matlock, and they also loved watching the cooking channel together. Diane moved in with Michelle in March of 2020. She was active in Michelle and Bailey's lives, and she was a part of all activities and events. Even while overcoming serious health issues, Diane tried to go to all of Bailey's events. She loved to hear her sing and play the piano. She loved to travel with and spend as much time as possible with them. She wanted to see Niagara Falls, so Michelle took her to see the Falls on the American and Canadian sides during the summer of 2019. She wanted to visit Key West, so they headed out on that adventure August of 2020. Diane also wanted to see the Grand Canyon, so Michelle took her to see several sights out west in 2020. She took her along the entire east coast for the second time this past summer. She enjoyed the sights and activities, but she especially enjoyed the fresh lobster in Maine! She has traveled to many amazing places with them in 31 states! Diane had multiple close friends besides the late Wanda Slappy. She had been friends with Hattie Benson since grade school, and she was very close to her first cousin Teresa Brewer Rodgers. Diane made multiple life-long friends while working at Southern Ag Carrier for 23 years, including, but not limited to, Debbie Wildes, Rhonda Jarrett, Stephanie English, Judi Brazzell, Beck Maloney, and Janice Jacobs. She also enjoyed reconnecting with her high school friends- Janis Eldridge Crump, Lynda Everson, Pat Miller, Dianne Register, and many, many more. So many of her family and friends express how wonderful she was, how funny she was, and what a great and true friend she was. She was a member at Northside Baptist Church in Sylvester since childhood; however, over the past several years, she had been attending and enjoying Unity Baptist Church in Sylvester with Michelle and Bailey. She was loved by so many, and she will be greatly missed! Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ should find comfort in this verse: "And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Mrs. Diane Slappy Collier

January 28, 1952 - November 28, 2021