LEXINGTON, SC ~ Lula G. (Lou) Collier, 95, passed away May 21, 2024 in Lexington, S.C. She is survived by her husband of almost 69 years Arthur K. (Art) Collier.

A memorial service will we held at 1 p.m., May 31, 2024 at First United Methodist Church, 200 West Gay Street, Lancaster, SC. A reception will follow at the church. Viewing will be available at Burgess Funeral Home May 30, 2024 from 3 - 5 p.m. Burial will be private.

Mrs. Collier was born April 27, 1929, in Newberry, S.C., to the late Osborne S. Goree and Lillie Johnson Goree. She graduated from Newberry High School in 1946; earned her Bachelor of Arts, graduating magna cum laude, from Newberry College in 1950; and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Winthrop College in 1978. She began her teaching career in Florence, S.C. She taught briefly in Columbia, S.C., following her marriage before starting her family. She returned to teaching when the family moved to Lancaster in 1968. She and Art also lived in Columbia, Spartanburg and Rock Hill, S.C., with their daughters.

Early in life Mrs. Collier was active in Girl Scouting and throughout her life she was active in her church and her community. Music was also important to her, and as a young woman she played the organ for a Newberry church. When her children were born, she was active in their lives. She led their Girl Scout troop, served the Parent Teacher Association and taught Vacation Bible School. She served in a variety of roles at Woodland United Methodist Church in Rock Hill, where the family was living.

When Mrs. Collier returned to teaching, she taught algebra at North Junior High School and then taught algebra and geometry at Lancaster Senior High School. She retired from teaching in 1990. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church Lancaster where she held a variety of leadership roles. She was a lay representative to the South Carolina annual conference; a member of the Staff Parish Relations committee; and a participant, leader and avid recruiter for the United Methodist Women, now known as United Women in Faith, in her local church and at the district level.  For her UMW's Circle, she served as campus ministry co-chair, treasurer, secretary and chairman, filling some of these roles multiple times. She served as secretary of program resources, treasurer and president of the UMW.  At various times, she led the focus on global concerns, Christian personhood and spiritual growth for her circle or the UMW. She was a district cluster leader, served on the district nominations committee and served as district vice president for the UMW. She enjoyed every opportunity to experience a retreat at Lake Junaluska, N.C.

In addition to her church activities, Mrs. Collier was an active member of the Lancaster County Retired Educators and, as an avid reader, enjoyed her book club and its members. She volunteered at Andrew Jackson State Park and, with her husband, delivered Meals on Wheels.

Mrs. Collier enjoyed her church, her family, cooking, the beach and Gamecock sports.  She and her husband had season reservations at the beach, where they annually hosted family, and season tickets to Gamecock football, where they enjoyed time with fellow University of South Carolina family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Collier is survived by daughters Mary (Alex) McDowell, Ann Collier and Amy (Mark) Gilbert; grandchildren, Elizabeth McDowell, David (Kelly) McDowell, Laura Gilbert and Daniel Gilbert; and two great grandsons. She is also survived by Dorothy Smith Collier, her sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Collier was predeceased by her parents; six brothers, Irby Major Goree, Furman Joseph Goree (Lillian), Virgil Osborne Goree (Dollie), James Edward Goree, Jack Osborne Goree (Virgie), William Johnson Goree and a sister, Doris Marie Mohler. She also was predeceased by her husband's four brothers and a sister-in-law.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 200 West Gay Street, Lancaster, SC 29720.