Obituary of Thomas Dorsie Collier

Thomas Dorsie Collier, age 70, of Bedford, died suddenly on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from an apparent heart attack. Tommy was rushed to Grand Strand Medical Center but could not be revived. His wife, Donna was by his side as he entered into his next life.

Tommy was nearing the end of a fun filled vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his wife, Donna, daughter, Cindy, son-in-law Len, grandchildren, and several of his friends. His life ended much too early.  However, the last days of his life were spent at the ocean where he loved to be and with some of his family and friends that he loved.

Tommy was an owner-operator trucker leased to Bailess Trucking in Lynchburg, VA. Previously, Tommy had worked with James T. Helwig Trucking in Texas. Part of that time, his wife Donna worked with him as a long-haul trucking team, traveling throughout the United States. Tommy started his owner-operator trucking career with Sined Leasing in New Jersey.

He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Tommy was also a wonderful son during the years his Mom was alive and a great brother to his sisters and older brother.

Tommy loved drag racing. He drove the race car himself until his son, Charlie was old enough to race. He then threw his energy into supporting his son and later his grandson, Dustin in racing. Tommy loved to landscape and took pride in his yard. He was also very accomplished with home renovations. He always had one or more projects in progress at his home. But more than anything else in his life, Tommy loved spending fun time with his children, grandchildren, family, and friends.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Donna Draper Collier; his son, Charles Edward Collier and wife, Amy of Huddleston; his daughter Cindy Collier Snead and husband, Len of Bedford. Tommy is survived by ten grandchildren, Hunter Taylor, Avery Taylor and partner, Alex Forte, Rieley Taylor, Delaney Snead, Leo Snead, Bryce Snead, Sunny Snead, Cindy Overstreet and husband, Brandon, Dustin Choate and wife, Candace, and Charles Thomas Collier. Tommy also had six great-grandchildren, Colton, Luke, Savannah, Abilene, Scarlett, and Joseph and one grandson on the way, a namesake, Thomas Wayne Choate. Tommy is also survived by his sister,  Violet C. Cassidy and husband, Flay of Moneta and his sister, Mary Lou C. Robertson of Forest, many nieces and nephews and several cousins. Tommy was preceded in death by his father Robert D. Collier, his mother, Elva Abbott Ayers, his step-father Charles Edward Gibson, his step-father H. Kyle Ayers, his brother, Robert T. Collier, and his sisters, Joyce C. Layne and Shelby C. Becker.

A service to celebrate Tommy’s life will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Word of Life Evangelical Church, 912 Burks Hill Road in Bedford, VA.  The Reverend David Whitehurst and Tommy's grandson Minister Charles Thomas Collier officiating.   The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:30 until 8 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.