Avis H. Collier’s will long be remembered for his many contributions and service to Carroll County. Now the late Dugspur man will be forever remembered throughout the state of Virginia.

During the Carroll County Board of Supervisors’ May 11 meeting, Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-Martinsville) presented Collier’s family with a copy of Senate Joint Resolution No. 301, titled “Celebrating the life of Avis H. Collier.” Reynolds introduced the bill, which was passed by the senate on Jan. 22 and by the house on Jan. 30. A four-term member of the Carroll County Board of Supervisors, Collier also served on the Carroll County School Board, was a founding member of Twin County Regional Healthcare Hospital and Dugspur Rescue Squad. He was a Dugspur Rescue Squad member, owned Collier’s Store, and helped spearhead the renovation and/or construction of many schools throughout the county, among his long list of achievements.

“Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing the late Avis H. Collier will miss him,” Reynolds said. “Delegate (Ward) Armstrong and Delegate (Bill) Carrico could not be here today because of conflicts, but they wished they could be here and asked me to extend to you all the best wishes.”

Before presenting the resolution to Collier’s daughters, Jill Saunders and Becky Alderman, and son-in-law Nelson Goad (husband of the late Debbie Goad), Reynolds read the resolution to those in attendance.

“Whereas Avis H. Collier of Dugspur, a beloved and respected citizen and an outstanding community leader in Carroll County for many years, died on October 21, 2008; and Whereas Avis loved his community of Dugspur, where he began serving his fellow residents as the owner and operator of the local service station, Colliers Store, which is now Dugspur Deli Mart; and Whereas, Avis Collier was married to the late Blanche Phillips, and the loving couple shared 53 years together and have three daughters, Becky, Debbie, and Jill; and Whereas, Avis Collier was active in all of the events, celebrations, and public issues of Dugspur, and was a founding member and hard-working volunteer for the Dugspur Rescue Squad, often closing his business to answer emergency calls; and Whereas, always ready to help his neighbors whenever he could, Avis Collier would often give food and supplies to needy families who came into his store, and he received many of Dugspur Rescue Squads annual service awards for answering the most rescue squad calls; and

Whereas, dedicated to providing quality public services to his fellow citizens, Avis Collier served as a member of the Carroll County School Board for many years, as well as four terms on the Carroll County Board of Supervisors from 1983 to 1999; and Whereas, Avis Collier was especially supportive of quality education for Carroll County students, and he helped to improve county water, sewer, and other services and to establish initial 911 dispatch and other emergency services; and Whereas, an outstanding public servant with considerable knowledge and vision, Avis Collier always carefully thought about the county and the welfare and the well-being of the people in the county in his decision making; and Whereas, concerned with continually improving access to health services in Carroll County, Avis Collier was a founding committee member of the Twin County Regional Healthcare Hospital; and Whereas, Avis Collier received numerous awards and accolades over the years for his many contributions to his community, and a plaque in his honor appears in the Carroll County Governmental Complex, Carroll County High School, and other renovated secondary schools and projects in the county; and Whereas, a family man with a tremendous heart, Avis Collier will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his three daughters and their wonderful families, his loving family members and friends, and the citizens of Carroll County; now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly note with great sadness the passing of a fine community leader and outstanding Virginian, Avis H. Collier; and, be it resolved further, that the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Avis H. Collier as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.”

After presenting the resolution to Collier’s relatives, Reynolds addressed the family.

“I have fond memories of your dad,” Reynolds said. “I thought so much of him and miss him. God bless you.”