Minister Sherley Evelyn Collier–Walker, our beautiful mom, lived a life of devoted service to God, to children, and to her community. She was a woman of kindness and strength, sometimes quiet and sometimes wonderfully unmistakable.

Born on July 17, 1937, in Dallas, Texas, Sherley was raised in the Love Field area, known as Elm Thicket. From an early age, her gifts were evident. She began taking piano lessons at just six years old and, by the age of fifteen, was already sharing her talent as a musician in her church. She faithfully served as assistant pianist and organist at Bethany Baptist Church.

Sherley was educated in the Dallas Independent School District and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1955. Her passion for nurturing young minds led her to a remarkable career spanning more than 30 years in Early Childhood Education. She served nine years as Director of the Creative Learning Center, a talented and gifted school for low-income students, where she poured her heart into shaping futures.

Her commitment to excellence matched her dedication to education. She earned teacher certifications from both the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Association Montessori International (AMI). She later continued her work with Lumin Education for 14 years, serving in many impactful roles, including classroom teacher, parent educator, music teacher, play therapist, Director of the After School Program, High Scope Teacher Trainer, consultant, mentor, and Interim School Director.

In retirement, Sherley continued to grow in faith and service. A devoted member of Bonnie View Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for over 30 years, she served faithfully in numerous capacities—teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, leading Bible study, singing in the choir, and supporting many church ministries. She held leadership roles within the North Texas Area Disciples Women’s Ministry and served as Chaplain for the Bonnie View Disciples Women’s Ministry. Sherley also shared her wisdom as a presenter at leadership events, retreats, and fellowships, including those held in Athens and at Jarvis Christian College.

In 2005, she completed her Licensed Ministry Training and became a Commissioned Minister with Standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. Her ministry touched countless lives and reflected her deep and abiding faith.

Sherley also shared her love of music as a longtime member of the South Dallas Concert Choir, lifting her voice in praise and bringing joy to others through song.

She was deeply loved and leaves behind a legacy of strength, compassion, and unwavering faith. She touched many lives, but none more deeply than those of her family. She was truly the heartbeat of her family.

Sherley found inspiration in the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, strength in Psalm 139, and comfort in the beloved song “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” These reflected the very essence of how she lived—with perseverance, faith, and grace.

She leaves to cherish her memories: Kecia Dawn Collier, Kurt D. Collier, and Kim Collier Mack (Joseph); her grandchildren: Rochard and Rochelle Chappell, Alexander Hernandez, Patrick Collier, Kurt Collier Jr., Jasyle Batty, and Miles and Micah Mack; and her great-grandchildren: Wes, Tess, Jhett Chappell, Za’Veion Alexander, Amia Collier and Patrick Collier Jr. She is also lovingly remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends, including the Collier families in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada (Sylvester) and West Linn, Oregon (Pete), Phoenix, Arizona (Perryn) and the Walker family in Roanoke, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her spouses, Robert Collier (2012), the father of her children—Kecia, Kurt, and Kim—and Dr. Claude Walker (2018).

Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her love will continue to guide all who knew her.

Minister Sherley Evelyn Collier–Walker, our beautiful mom, lived a life of devoted service to God, to children, and to her community. She was a woman of kindness and strength, sometimes quiet and sometimes wonderfully unmistakable.

Born on July 17, 1937, in Dallas, Texas, Sherley was raised in the Love Field area, known as Elm Thicket. From an early age, her gifts were evident. She began taking piano lessons at just six years old and, by the age of fifteen, was already sharing her talent as a musician in her church. She faithfully served as assistant pianist and organist at Bethany Baptist Church.

Sherley was educated in the Dallas Independent School District and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1955. Her passion for nurturing young minds led her to a remarkable career spanning more than 30 years in Early Childhood Education. She served nine years as Director of the Creative Learning Center, a talented and gifted school for low-income students, where she poured her heart into shaping futures.

Her commitment to excellence matched her dedication to education. She earned teacher certifications from both the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Association Montessori International (AMI). She later continued her work with Lumin Education for 14 years, serving in many impactful roles, including classroom teacher, parent educator, music teacher, play therapist, Director of the After School Program, High Scope Teacher Trainer, consultant, mentor, and Interim School Director.

In retirement, Sherley continued to grow in faith and service. A devoted member of Bonnie View Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for over 30 years, she served faithfully in numerous capacities—teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, leading Bible study, singing in the choir, and supporting many church ministries. She held leadership roles within the North Texas Area Disciples Women’s Ministry and served as Chaplain for the Bonnie View Disciples Women’s Ministry. Sherley also shared her wisdom as a presenter at leadership events, retreats, and fellowships, including those held in Athens and at Jarvis Christian College.

In 2005, she completed her Licensed Ministry Training and became a Commissioned Minister with Standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. Her ministry touched countless lives and reflected her deep and abiding faith.

Sherley also shared her love of music as a longtime member of the South Dallas Concert Choir, lifting her voice in praise and bringing joy to others through song.

She was deeply loved and leaves behind a legacy of strength, compassion, and unwavering faith. She touched many lives, but none more deeply than those of her family. She was truly the heartbeat of her family.

Sherley found inspiration in the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, strength in Psalm 139, and comfort in the beloved song “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” These reflected the very essence of how she lived—with perseverance, faith, and grace.

She leaves to cherish her memories: Kecia Dawn Collier, Kurt D. Collier, and Kim Collier Mack (Joseph); her grandchildren: Rochard and Rochelle Chappell, Alexander Hernandez, Patrick Collier, Kurt Collier Jr., Jasyle Batty, and Miles and Micah Mack; and her great-grandchildren: Wes, Tess, Jhett Chappell, Za’Veion Alexander, Amia Collier and Patrick Collier Jr. She is also lovingly remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends, including the Collier families in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada (Sylvester) and West Linn, Oregon (Pete), Phoenix, Arizona (Perryn) and the Walker family in Roanoke, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her spouses, Robert Collier (2012), the father of her children—Kecia, Kurt, and Kim—and Dr. Claude Walker (2018).

Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her love will continue to guide all who knew her.

Celebrating the Life of Minister Sherley Evelyn Collier–Walker

Minister Sherley Evelyn Collier–Walker, our beautiful mom, lived a life of devoted service to God, to children, and to her community. She was a woman of kindness and strength, sometimes quiet and sometimes wonderfully unmistakable.

Born on July 17, 1937, in Dallas, Texas, Sherley was raised in the Love Field area, known as Elm Thicket. From an early age, her gifts were evident. She began taking piano lessons at just six years old and, by the age of fifteen, was already sharing her talent as a musician in her church. She faithfully served as assistant pianist and organist at Bethany Baptist Church.

Sherley was educated in the Dallas Independent School District and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1955. Her passion for nurturing young minds led her to a remarkable career spanning more than 30 years in Early Childhood Education. She served nine years as Director of the Creative Learning Center, a talented and gifted school for low-income students, where she poured her heart into shaping futures.

Her commitment to excellence matched her dedication to education. She earned teacher certifications from both the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Association Montessori International (AMI). She later continued her work with Lumin Education for 14 years, serving in many impactful roles, including classroom teacher, parent educator, music teacher, play therapist, Director of the After School Program, High Scope Teacher Trainer, consultant, mentor, and Interim School Director.

In retirement, Sherley continued to grow in faith and service. A devoted member of Bonnie View Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for over 30 years, she served faithfully in numerous capacities—teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, leading Bible study, singing in the choir, and supporting many church ministries. She held leadership roles within the North Texas Area Disciples Women’s Ministry and served as Chaplain for the Bonnie View Disciples Women’s Ministry. Sherley also shared her wisdom as a presenter at leadership events, retreats, and fellowships, including those held in Athens and at Jarvis Christian College.

In 2005, she completed her Licensed Ministry Training and became a Commissioned Minister with Standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. Her ministry touched countless lives and reflected her deep and abiding faith.

Sherley also shared her love of music as a longtime member of the South Dallas Concert Choir, lifting her voice in praise and bringing joy to others through song.

She was deeply loved and leaves behind a legacy of strength, compassion, and unwavering faith. She touched many lives, but none more deeply than those of her family. She was truly the heartbeat of her family.

Sherley found inspiration in the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, strength in Psalm 139, and comfort in the beloved song “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” These reflected the very essence of how she lived—with perseverance, faith, and grace.

She leaves to cherish her memories: Kecia Dawn Collier, Kurt D. Collier, and Kim Collier Mack (Joseph); her grandchildren: Rochard and Rochelle Chappell, Alexander Hernandez, Patrick Collier, Kurt Collier Jr., Jasyle Batty, and Miles and Micah Mack; and her great-grandchildren: Wes, Tess, Jhett Chappell, Za’Veion Alexander, Amia Collier and Patrick Collier Jr. She is also lovingly remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends, including the Collier families in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada (Sylvester) and West Linn, Oregon (Pete), Phoenix, Arizona (Perryn) and the Walker family in Roanoke, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her spouses, Robert Collier (2012), the father of her children—Kecia, Kurt, and Kim—and Dr. Claude Walker (2018).

Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her love will continue to guide all who knew her.