Vivian J Collier

Vivian Joaline "Jo" Collier, age 90, of Somerset, Kentucky, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at The Jean Waddle Hospice Care Center in Somerset, Kentucky.

Born on August 6, 1935, in Liberty, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Ezra and Ruth Ashley. Joaline graduated from Memorial High School in Waynesburg, Kentucky. She was retired from Hurst Interiors, Lexington, Kentucky, She was a current member of Flat Lick Baptist Church, Somerset, Kentucky and a previous longstanding member of Versailles Baptist Church in Versailles, Kentucky as well as Midway Baptist Church in Midway, Kentucky.

Serving God and her family was the center of her world. She had a true servant's heart. She was heavily involved in children's ministry, preparing and serving meals for "Celebrate Recovery" and later worked with missions in Lexington called "Feed the Hungry" and Back Paddock Ministries at Keeneland. She enjoyed cooking and hosting family gatherings, gardening, reading, college basketball and following former U.K. players in the NBA.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert T. Collier and three children, Wendell L. Sloan and his wife Janie, of Eubank, Kentucky; Robin Smith and her husband Kevin, of Somerset, Kentucky; Tonya Helton and her husband Dr. Harold Helton, Jr., of Somerset, Kentucky; two grandaughters Jessica Smith Settle (Kyle) Danville, Kentucky; Jodie Smith Hall (Jonathan), Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; two grandsons, Collier and Cooper Helton, both of Somerset, Kentucky; a great grandson Harrison Settle , Danville, Kentucky; two sisters, Pauline "Polly" Wilson of Somerset, Kentucky and Rutheda Reel of Warrenton, Missouri and a brother, Rev. Gerald Ashley, Somerset, Kentucky, as well as a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Carroll Ashley of Orleans, Indiana, Harold Glen Ashley, Las Vegas, Nevada and Robert Ashley of Eubank, Kentucky and a grandson, John Charles McKinney of Eubank, Kentucky.

Her greatest desire was that her grandchildren will adopt Proverbs 4:23 as a lifetime goal, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." and also, James 4:8 "Draw near to me and I will draw near to you."

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Flat Lick Baptist Church with Rev. Gerald Ashley officiating.

Burial will follow in the Flat Lick Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Collier Helton, Cooper Helton, Kyle Settle, Jonathan Hall, Scott Ecton, Brad Wilson, Brad Reel and Matthew Ashley.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 11:00 AM until time for services.

In leiu of flowers the family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Flat Lick Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

Pulaski Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.