Sandra Jean (Travis) Collier

Sandra Jean Travis Collier of Highlands, North Carolina passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2017. She was 83.

Born February 20, 1934 in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, she is the daughter of the late Mary Bettys Travis and Guy Otis Travis and the sister of Mary Dale Travis Busche and Guy Otis Travis, Jr., both deceased.

Sandra was a member of the first graduating class of the Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tennessee and was recently honored with her fellow students from the inaugural 1952 senior class.  She graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University’s School of Nursing and was president of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Sandra was married to the late Joe Carter Collier, Jr.  He served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army and graduated with an engineering degree from Tennessee Tech University. Mr. Collier was senior vice president with Florida Power & Light Company and CEO of Central Maine Power.

Sandra had a multi‑faceted career as a registered nurse, teacher, real estate broker and homemaker. Adventurous, extroverted and curious, she was an avid nature lover and intrepid traveler. She visited over 25 different countries and developed lasting friendships with persons from a variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds from around the world.  She had a passion for the people of Africa and worked with individuals and families as a public health nurse in rural villages. One of her beloved families in Kenya named their child “Sandy” in her honor.

Sandra is survived by daughters Mary Alice Collier Collins, Carolyn Dale Collier and son Joe Carter Collier, III. She has eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A family graveside service will be held Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Riverside Memorial Park in Jupiter, Florida where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Arrangements are handled by Aycock Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center in Jupiter, Florida.

Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be made at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

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