Helen Dorman Collier

In the quiet early hours of May 19, 2024, Helen Collier left this earth and was escorted by angels into paradise.

It is difficult to sum up Helen’s legacy and love in just a few paragraphs. She was born to sharecroppers and was raised in Luverne, Alabama.  After high school, Helen married Bishop Thompson and supported him throughout his military career - even driving across the country to San Diego, California completely by herself at the tender age of 19.  She repeated this trip at the age of 21 in order to board a ship bound for Alaska where they spent 2.5 years before returning to Alabama.  Once back, Helen and her husband grew their family and made their life in Montgomery, Alabama.  She enjoyed a fulfilling career as a bookkeeper and spent the last 25 years before her retirement working for The Arc of Alabama.

Later in life, Helen married her second husband, George Collier, and moved to Opp, Alabama where they lived for 27 years before moving to Birmingham, Alabama.  She was an avid square dancer and an amazing cook!  Helen and George also enjoyed camping in their RV, especially when their friends or grandchildren could come along with them.  But while she enjoyed all these activities, what she loved most was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Helen was a strong Christian who instilled her faith into her family and all those around her.  She loved classic hymns and her commitment to praying for those she loved had no bounds.  She was truly a prayer warrior.

Helen was preceded in death by her mother and father, Mamie and Orin Dorman; her brother, James Dorman; her sister, Sarah Head; and her son-in-law, Paul Allen. She is survived by her husband of 30 years, George Collier, and her children, Donna Allen, David Thompson (Teri), and Melinda Gargiulo (Richard).  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jessica Allen Klinger (Barry), Loren Allen (Allie), Kaden Allen, Will Thompson (Jordan), Victoria Gargiulo Lee (Alex), and Elissa Gargiulo, as well as multiple great-grandchildren who all lovingly refer to her as “Nana”.  Plus, we cannot forget the many people who called her mom and those she considered her adopted children. She will be forever missed, but her legacy of faith and love will continue through all those who had the joy of knowing her.