Gracie Collier Ross

Mrs. Gracie Collier Ross, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother, 99, of Hope, Arkansas, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2012. She was born in Oak Grove Community outside Hope on July 27, 1912, to Clarence and Zannie Mae Collier. She first attended her beloved Oak Grove United Methodist Church at two weeks old, joined that church at the age of 17, and had been a faithful member and attendee until her death. She was a member of UMW (United Methodist Women) there, and also a member of Oak Grove's well-known Quilting club. She worked at the Hope Basket Factory and later for Cornbelt Hatcheries. After retirement she began working again at the age of 75 at the Sheltered Workshop in Hope and finally completely retired from public service at the age of 83. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Burl Harrison Ross, her parents, brother, JC Collier; two sisters, Geraldine Collier Finch and Edra Collier and one grandson, Greg Impson. Her survivors include her two daughters, Barbara Ross Impson of Hope and Vivian Ross Arredondo and John of Las Vegas, New Mexico; four grandchildren, Debbie Marshall and Kris of Lincoln, Nebraska, Diane Davis and Roger of Emmet, Arkansas, Juanita Braud and Jason of Haslet, Texas and Barbara Leigh Ramirez and Gilbert of Sanger, Texas; two sisters Iva Lee Davis and Joyce McRoy, both of Hope; one brother Virgil Skinner and Faye of Sherwood, Arkansas; seven great-children and five great-great-grandchildren. Family will receive friends Tuesday, January 31, 2012, from 6 to 8 pm at Herndon Pharr Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at Oak Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. Revel Kidd officiating, assisted by Mrs. Ross's grandson, Rev. Christopher Davis of Louisville, Kentucky, and her former pastor Rev. Joe Miller of St. John's Methodist Church in Hope. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery, Oak Grove Community, under the direction of Herndon Pharr Funeral Home, Hope, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to Oak Grove United Methodist Church, or to Oak Grove Cemetery Fund, both in care of Barbara Impson, 3291 Hwy. 278 East, Hope, Arkansas 71801. Online guest book at www.pharrfuneralhomes.com.