John Rust Collier, Jr.

John Rust Collier, Jr., age 78 of Maryville, TN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2019. He was a member of the 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, TN. He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Beale Collier; daughter, Suzanne Stratton (Jondale); grandchildren, Zachary and Sydney Stratton of Seymour, TN; brothers, Robert Collier (Paula), Franklin Collier (Kathy) of McMinnville, TN, David Collier (Teresa) of Rock Island; one niece and several nephews. The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in McMinnville, TN.  A graveside service and inurnment will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, September 22, 2019 at New Union Cemetery, Hwy. 30.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to New Union Cemetery, 355 Mullican Lane, Rock Island, TN 38581.  Information is a courtesy of High Funeral Home.