Clyde Franklin “Bubba” Collier, age 86, died June 20, 2024, peacefully at his home on Horseleg Creek Road in Rome, GA, following several years of declining health.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Barbara Yarbrough Collier; his daughters, Katherine Collier Sexton (Stephen) of Birmingham, AL, and Tracy Jenice Collier Cline (David) of Auburn, AL; two beloved grandsons, Jonathan Collier Sexton and Michael David Collier Cline; his twin brother, Clayton Fredrick Collier; his sister-in-law, Jane Chalker Collier and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Paul and Edna Coker Collier, his son, Franklin Mark Collier, his sister, Doris Collier Langley, and his brother, William Gene Collier.
Clyde, who was also known as “Bubba” to those who could never tell him from his identical twin brother, grew up on Desota Avenue, where he began delivering newspapers for the Rome News Tribune at age 7 and continued until his graduation from Rome High School in 1956. At that time, he began working in the Rome News photography department. He left the Rome News in 1968 to open his own photography studio, Clyde Collier Photography, at 300 North Fifth Avenue. In 1975, he moved his business to 600 Broad Street, after remodeling the old Dunaway Texaco gas station.
Clyde was Rome, Georgia’s photographer for over 60 years, chronicling events that occurred in Rome, Floyd County, and surrounding counties, documenting births, graduations, weddings, sporting events, dedications, team photos, family portraits, and current events. As a child he attended Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, but began attending Calvary Baptist Church as a teenager, and was an active member there for the remainder of his life, serving as a deacon, usher, Sunday School teacher, and on several pulpit committees. In his photography studio, he also sold camera equipment, and was the “go-to” expert for several generations regarding photography issues.
Clyde was also a member of the Rome Optimist Club and served on the Board of Regents of Shorter University.
Funeral services will be held at 4pm on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at Calvary Baptist Church, with Dr. Gary Graves officiating. Interment will take place at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens at a later date.
The family will receive friends from 2pm until service time on Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church.
Pallbearers are to assemble by 3:30pm on Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church and include: David Cline, Stephen Sexton, Jonathan Sexton, Michael Cline, Grant Collier, Dan Scott, Noah Shelly, and Hunter Morris.
The family wishes to recognize and thank his devoted and loving caregivers, Monica Mulinix, Ruthie Vandiver, Emily Petty, Kym Young, Noah Shelly, and Hunter Morris, who became family. We are also indebted to the loving care of Amedysis Hospice, especially Autumn and Cyndy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Rome or to your favorite charity.
Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Mr. Clyde Franklin Collier.
