Former Miss Grambling State University Carolyn Douglas Collier has died.
Collier died Wednesday, Jan. 15. She was 66.
Perhaps known as the university’s first campus queen to be crowned from the city of Grambling.
Collier served as an ambassadress for Grambling State University for almost 50 years.
She was raised in Grambling, where she attended Grambling Elementary and Grambling High School.
Her family, like many others, have a long history with Grambling. Collier’s parents, Clarence and Earnestine Douglas, were employed by Grambling College.
Her mother was a graduate of Grambling College and was an educator for more than 30 years.
As a child, she was baptized at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Grambling, where she remained a faithful member until her death.
In 1974, Douglas Collier was crowned Miss Grambling State University.
KGRM Tiger Radio station manager Joyce Evans, also a former classmate of Collier’s, served as Collier’s campaign manager during her campaign for Miss Grambling.
“She had a very gleeful personality,” said Evans. “Always with a smile.”
In fall of 1972, Collier pledged the Delta Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., having followed in her mother’s footsteps.
Collier received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in sociology from Grambling.
Collier held a range of positions at Grambling State University, including human resources, a first-year experience instructor, a sociology instructor, Director of Admissions, Executive Director of Alumni Affairs and the Director of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum.
She previously taught fourth-grade special education at Homer Elementary in Homer, La.
Former Miss Grambling State University Carolyn Collier. Courtesy photo
She was also a NAFEO/MetLife certified investment and retirement advisor.
Collier was active in the community of Grambling, La.
She was a member of the Grambling State University Alumni Association, the Monroe-Grambling chapter of the Links, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Grambling Housing Authority and Roger C. Jackson Scholarship Foundation, Northeast Louisiana Council of the Arts and past president of the Pinkie C. Wilkerson Life Development Center.
She also taught etiquette classes.
The 66th Miss Grambling State University Rickenzie Jonikin, a senior mass communication from Farmerville, La., remembered joking with Collier in the press box of Robinson Stadium at homecoming.
“She told me that I may be Miss Grambling 2019-2020, but she is THEE Miss Grambling,” said Johnikin. “That will always stick with me because it was so true.”
Jonikin also said that Mrs. Collier made a huge impact in and beyond the Grambling community.
“I thank God that He allowed us to witness a soul as beautiful as Mrs. Collier’s,” said Johnikin.
Collier proceeded her parents, Clarence and Earnestine Douglas, in death.
She is survived by her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Ewing Collier; five children, Tiffani “Brandi” James Smith (Kori), T. Brandon “Bruiser” James (Kameka), Bruce Collier, Rhonda Collier, and Tim Collier; seven grandchildren, Kori Addison Smith, Evan Collier, Erin Collier, Bruce Collier, Janay Collier, and Jalen Collier; a brother, Bruce Douglas (Dolores); special aunts, Irene Thierry, Jean Haskin, Lillian Bell, and Agnes Haskin; one uncle, Wilbert Douglas, and a host of family and friends.