Hattie was also expected to do her share of the work in the tobacco fields, as was the other children. This is how the family made their living. Her father, James Henry always insisted on the family taking a long rest after lunch and he rested lying on the floor. He liked to have his hair brushed and combed and had one of the children to do it, much to their dislike because they wanted to play or do things of their own choosing. A black lad lived with them for many years, from a young boy until he married. He helped them in the tobacco fields and with whatever else needed to be done on the farm. Hattie's father added a room to the house for him to sleep and he ate with the family.
Hattie's parents had one of the first cars in the area. They also ordered thru the mail an organ for Hattie. She was an organist in the church where they all were very active. Her father, was Sunday School Superintendent for many years. Much of their social life seemed to be centered around the church.
Hattie married William Felix Collie on January 7, 1917 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Hattie was 23 years old and Willie was 22 years old. He was born July 31, 1895 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He was the son of Samuel Felix Collie and Jane Samuel Snead Collie. Hattie and Willie farmed for a living. Hattie and William had their first child, Grover Clark Collie on December 17, 1917. They continued to farm for their living and soon after their second child, Lettia Jane Collie was born on June 12, 1920 times got so hard that they lost their farm.
Hattie and Willie moved to Danville, Virginia (approximately 17 miles) so that Willie could work in the Cotton Mill. They lived in the Schoolfield section of Danville, which was specificially built for the workers in the Cotton Mill to be able to live nearby. Hattie would sometimes walk to the mill and carry Willie his lunch. One time, Hattie took her daughter, Janie with her to take Willie his lunch. On the way they walked across a bridge and the floor had cracks between the boards. Seeing the water below, frightened the little Janie and her Mama had to carry her across the bridge. The mill was so noisy with machinery running that Janie wondered how her Daddy stood it.
Hattie and Willie's family expanded with the birth of their daughter, Willie Geraldine Collie born December 19, 1923 and with the birth of their son, Samuel Felix Collie born May 20, 1925. During this time, Hattie and Willie moved their family from Schoolfield to just west of Danville, Virginia out towards Martinsville, Virginia. This is where Janie started to school.
Here, Hattie and Willie's friends and neighbors were a Mr. and Mrs. Hilton who had no children and a Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson who had children with whom Hattie's children played with. Mr. Ferguson ran a grocery store and was also a barber. He cut Hattie's long hair, it was the first time she had ever had it cut. It was a shock to all of her family and her son, Grover, was especially sensitive to it and he cried when he saw her with short hair.
Once again Hattie and Willie moved their family. But this time they moved to a place not far away. It was near a Jewish Synagogue. This is where Hattie had her last child, Hattie Lois Collie, born March 9, 1930. A few months after Lois was born, Willie went to Newport News, Virginia to find work. He left Hattie and the children at home until he could find work and come back for them.
Willie found work in Newport News with the Crystal Ice Company. He delivered ice to private homes. In the Newport News Shipbuilding Apartments he would have to take ice up three flights of stairs and the charge was five cents a cake!!
Because of the Depression Willie lost this job and was without a job for two or three years. Grover worked in a grocery store and Janie worked Saturdays in a department store. Grover and Janie took their pay home and gave it to their parents to support their family. Willie got a job with the WPA when it was initiated and he was a Supervisor.
The last job he had was with the Newport News Water Board where he worked with gauges to regulate pressure. It was the best job he had ever had, but sadly he had a stroke soon after he started working there. Although he tried to go back to work, he could work only a short time before having to resign because of his health.
Willie was 56 years old when he died on August 18, 1951. He was buried August 20, 1951 at Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News, Virginia. Hattie was only 57 years old, not old enough to be eligible for Social Security and she had never worked outside the home. She was a very talented seamstress and she started working for a laundry, repairing and altering garments. When she retired at the age of 72, she was working for a very nice ladies store, working with brides and bridesmaids and fitting their gowns. Her employers valued her sewing talents and thought very highly of her.
Hattie was very musically talented also. She would sing hymns around the house. In her younger days, Hattie was the church organist but at this time, Hattie and her family didn't own a piano or an organ. So Hattie played the Harmonica. When her children would have friends over, Hattie would entertain them with her "mouth organ". The children would play musical chairs and Hattie would play the harmonica for them to play their game.
Hattie had a great sense of humor and also a love for her grandchildren. Some of her methods of amusing them was to make ugly faces, "scrootching" up her eyes and twisting her mouth in distortion. She would get a hose of some type and talk through it or make funny noises by blowing into the tube.
Hattie was never interested in socializing with other women or joining clubs but she always had friends who came by to visit with her.
Hattie maintained her apartment until about the age of 86 or 87. It was hard for her to shop for groceries since there were no stores in the neighborhood. Lois and Grover would take her once a week to shop. She became very crippled with arthritis in her knees and was also feeble.
One day, Hattie pulled a pan of boiling water off of the stove onto her legs and feet, causing very serious burns. She stayed with Grover and his wife, Virginia about a week after that and Janie was with her for about ten days. Because she seemed to be having problems with balance the doctor recommended she not live alone.
While Janie was with her, they looked at several nursing homes. It was so hard for Hattie to "break up housekeeping" and Janie felt so sorry for her mother. But Hattie knew it would be for the best and it would be easier for her children and they wouldn't have to worry about her welfare. Hattie chose the Patrick Henry Nursing Home where she had a private room. Once she remarked that it was the first time in about 75 years she had not had to be concerned about meal planning and preparation and she enjoyed that. It was hard for Hattie because she wasn't one to enjoy socializing or joining in the activities offered by the home. A young girl in the next room had MS and was bedridden. Hattie spent lots of time visiting her and helping her out with whatever she could do to help, like helping feed herself and sharing the newspaper with her.
Apparently, Hattie had a stroke since she was found in her room dazed and confused. She was moved to the Nursing Care Unit but didn't improve, not recognizing even the family. The doctor called her condition dementia along with small strokes and a general weakening condition. Hattie died August 19, 1982 in Newport News, Virginia and she was buried August 21, 1982 at the Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News, Virginia.
The following is a quote from Hattie's daughter, Janie Collie Sargeant: "I'm certain Mama would feel she didn't contribute much in this world in material things and being humble as she was, much in talents. Her great love for us and her understanding and cheerfulness and encouragement and also her love of God as demonstrated by her life, is a great tribute to her. She was loved dearly and respected for her wisdom and caring for her family. She died 2 months before her 90th birthday."
2. Lettia Janie Collie born June 12, 1920, married Walter S. Sargeant on July 3, 1939 in Newport News, Virginia. Janie and Walter have three children, William Harold Sargeant, Bruce Sargeant and Betty Ann Sargeant. Walter and Janie have 9 grandchildren.
3. Willie Geraldine "Jewel" Collie born December 19, 1923 married John J. Holland Jr. in April 1939 in South Mills, South Carolina. Jewel and John have four children, John J. Holland III, Carolyn Holland, Betty Holland and Russell Holland. Jewel died in 1983.
4. Samuel Felix Collie born May 20, 1925, married Adaline L. Thome on September 23, 1944 in California. Sam and Adaline have three children, Samuel Felix Collie Jr., Michael Allan Collie and Debora Lynn Collie.
5. Hattie Lois Collie born March 9, 1930 and married William Raymond Whitley on May 18, 1950 in South Mills, North Carolina. They have two children, Pattie Ann Whitley and David Scott Whitley. Lois is now married to John Haney.
A native of Pittsylvania County, Virginia he had made his home here 20 years. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Hattie Mae Wiles Collie; two sons, Grover C. Collie of Morrison, and Samuel F. Collie of Fort Hueneme, California; three daughters, Mrs. W.S. Sargeant of Sherburne, New York and Mrs. J.J. Holland Jr. and Mrs. W.R. Whitley, both of Newport News; a brother, Herbert L. Collie of Portsmouth, and four sisters, Mrs. Walter Hollenbeck of Jetersville, Mrs. Guy Coperlin of Danville, Mrs. Annie Boyd of Alton and Mrs. Marion Maddox of Lynchburg.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. tomorrow in the Peninsula Funeral Home by the Rev. J.T. Brown, pastor of Central Methodist Church, Fox Hill, assisted by the Rev. W.S. Davis of Richmond.
Burial will be in Peninsula Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Robert D. Collie, Ollie S. Routen, Walter D. Ashburn Sr., Russel G. Irby, Carlyle Andrews and A.W. Chandler. Honorary pallbearers will be other friends of the family.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Janie Sargeant of Schertz, Texas, Mrs. Jewell Holland of Hampton, Virginia and Mrs. Lois Haney of Newport News; two sons, Grover C. Collie Sr. of Tabb, and Sam F. Collie of Camarillo, California; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Slayton of Raleigh, N.C. and Mrs. Louise Jefferson of Danville; a brother, Armistead Wiles of Danville, 13 grandchildren; 22 great- grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ann Wiles Tingen, of South Boston, Virginia; two sons, Mr. Randy Paul Tingen Sr. and Mr. James Ambrose Tingen both of South Boston; one step-son, Mr. Barry Thomas Lewis of South Boston; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 15, 1995 at 2 o'clock at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Ed Melvin conducting the service. Burial followed in the Berry Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Military Rites.