John Rust Collier Jr., 78, of Maryville passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 14. 

He was a member of First United Methodist Church of McMinnville, and an associate member of First United Methodist Church of Maryville. John was a graduate of Ohio State University, majoring in ornamental horticulture. He returned to Tennessee and spent the rest of his life operating and growing Pleasant Cove Nursery, a family business. He was a past president of the Tennessee Nurserymen’s Association. He was inducted into the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association Hall of Fame. John also served as a director of City Bank & Trust Company for many years. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Rust Collier Sr. and Elma Brewer Collier of McMinnville. He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Beale Collier, daughter Suzanne Stratton (Jondale), grandchildren Zachary and Sydney Stratton of Seymour, brothers Robert Collier (Paula), Franklin Collier (Kathy) of McMinnville, David Collier (Teresa) of Rock Island, one niece and several nephews. 

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at First United Methodist Church in McMinnville with a graveside service to follow at New Union Cemetery in Rock Island. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to New Union Cemetery, 355 Mullican Lane, Rock Island, TN 38581. Arrangements provided by Smith Funeral & Cremation, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.

Southern Standard

(McMinnville, Tenn.) Sept. 18, 2019