Ms. Darlene M. Collier

Darlene Marie Collier was born on September 19th, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri to Leroy C. Tombs and Nadine Tombs. She was the oldest of five siblings. Her sibling Philip Sherman Tombs preceded her in death, as did her parents. Her sister Wanda Elizabeth Ford, husband Edward Ford Sr. as well as her brother Leroy Cleveland Tombs Jr., wife Irene (deceased) both live in Kansas City, Kansas. Her sister Madlyn Dianne Tombs lives in Denver, Colorado. Growing up in a Navy family, Darlene and her siblings lived in New London, Connecticut and San Diego, California. However, her formative years were spent in Bonner Springs, Kansas. She graduated from Bonner Springs High in 1959 and later attended the University of Kansas, Lawrence.
Because of her brilliant academic achievement, she was invited by Eleanor Roosevelt to attend a leadership program at the Fieldston school for ethical Culture in New York City – a school that focused on the study and practice of ethics and prepared its students to take care of their world, themselves, and each other.
Racial equity was an important issue for Darlene from a young age. This passion for racial justice led her becoming active in the civil rights movement in both Bonner Springs and Kansas City. Darlene was one of the forerunners to the civil rights movement. After High school Darlene joined the NAACP where she worked with Louisa Fletcher, the former president of the Kansas NAACP and considered the "Godmother" of the Civil Rights Movement in Kansas. During her civil rights work she helped to push for the desegregation of the Kansas Board of education and Fairyland Amusement Park. It was this "good trouble" that Darlene got into that led her father Leroy to proudly call her a "Little do-gooder". After high school, Darlene attended the University of Kansas.
Early in her career Darlene worked at Kansas City Urban Renewal, which is where she would meet her future husband, Jimmie Collier. Darlene married Jimmie and had one child, Justin Collier, wife Ivy Collier. Darlene spent over 25 years of her work life at AT&T and Sprint in career services where she would earn numerous awards for her diligent work ethic and assiduous nature.
Darlene's faith was of great importance to her. She was unapologetically "in love with Jesus". She attended Sheffield Family Life Center pastored by George Westlake and GreaterWorks Empowerment Church pastored by long-term friend Ruth Turner. Her love and dedication to God was well-known and she placed God at the center of her life. Her family and friends knew that they could always come to Darlene for prayer when they were in need.
She was a dog lover and rarely was seen without her trusted companion Chewy ("Mommy's Chew Chew") who remained by her side until the very end.
Darlene is preceded in death by her parents Leroy Tombs and Nadine Tombs as well as her younger brother Phillip Tombs. She is survived by her son Justin (Ivy), Her three siblings - Wanda Ford (Edward), Leroy Tombs, Jr. (Irene), Madlyn Tombs, Phillip Tombs, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Services will be held Monday, December 19, 2022, 11 am at Watkins Heritage Chapel, visitation 10 am. Interment in Bonner Springs Cemetery, Bonner Springs, Kansas. In lieu of flowers donation sent to
Hope Faith - Homeless Assistance Campus https://www.hopefaith.org/
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