Obituary of Kandie R. Collier
Kandie R. Parkes was born in Monroe, Michigan on October 24, 1949. She was born from the union of Nance Parkes and Kenneth McColl. As an infant, Kandie, was adopted by her loving parents Benjamin "Frank" Franklin Parker and Maude "Patsy" Ellafair (Linkes) Parker. Kandie was adopted into a huge extended family who loved and cherished her as their own, including Linkes, Mayes, Costelli, Holloway, Sizemore, and Eggers families. She grew up in the Downriver Community and graduated from Lincoln Park High School with the Class of 1967.
Kandie would later return to school obtaining her Associates Degree from Henry Ford Community College in 1980. Throughout her life, Kandie, would show her faith in many aspects. A natural caregiver, she would spend twenty-two years employed as a registered nurse for Oakwood Healthcare. She left this position to work as a Nurse Case Manager for adults with mental illness at Monroe County Mental Health for nine years retiring in 2010.
She was a beautiful soul inside and out, priding herself on always looking her best. It was quite common to see her wearing one of her favorite furs. Kandie loved genealogy and with her professional scrapbooking skills was entrusted with the family photos. She also enjoyed traveling visiting Wales, Hawaii, and Australia to name a few.
Kandie loved southern gospel and Bluegrass music and attending concerts from the Beatles, to Elvis, and even Bob Dylan. She liked the opera, musicals, the theatre, politics, her country, and first and foremost attending her church.
A member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church, Kandie, served wherever she could, and was the Coordinator for funeral meals for many years. She worked as a Team Leader with God Works Program in conjunction with St. Mary Parish and often fed shut-ins. Kandie also was an Erie Township Election official and elected to the Board of Directors for Monroe County Community Mental Health.
Kandie R. Collier, age 71, of Erie passed away at 7:43am on the Lord’s Day, Sunday; October 10, 2021 at the Ebeid Hospice Residence in Sylvania, Ohio. Her passing was preceded by her birth and adoptive parents; five siblings: Kenneth Collier, Barbara Johnson, Jill White, Thomas McColl, David Parkes; one niece: Tara Parkes; one nephew: Kevin Clark, and best friend, Linda Zysk.
To cherish her memory she leaves three siblings: Gillian van Nieumans of Adelaide, Australia, Terry McColl of Perth, Australia, and Daniel (Penny) Parkes of Blaine, Washington; many, many nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.
Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm on Thursday; October 14, 2021 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. She will lie in state from 10:00am until a Celebration of Her Life at 11:00am on Friday; October 15, 2021 at Monroe Missionary Baptist Church; 14260 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161. Pastor Roy Southerland will preside. Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park for inurnment. Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation in Erie, Michigan.
Memorials donations for those who desire are suggested to the Monroe County Humane Society or Monroe Missionary Baptist Church. Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com.