Obituary - Johnnie Lee Collie Jr.
Johnnie Lee Collie, Jr., 70 of Mechanicsville, VA, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family, on May 16, 2026, following a brief battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie Lee Collie, Sr. and Virginia Lee Long Collie. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rebecca (Becky) Spigle Collie, sons Taylor and Patrick, sister Gail Meador (Randy), brother Dwayne Collie (Mary Jane), nieces Carrie(Adam) and Sarah, nephews Liam(Hannah) and Ethan, and a great nephew Nate.
Johnnie graduated from Halifax High School in 1973. He served in the United State Marine Corps from 1973 to 1977. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sgt. He was an aircraft hydraulic/pneumatic mechanic, aboard the USS Guam and was awarded the National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Virginia Tech in 1981 and a Master of Education from VCU in 1992.
He spent the 32 years of his professional career as an educator and administrator in the Henrico County Public School System, retiring as Principal of Highland Springs Technical Center. Johnnie had a profound impact on countless students and colleagues along the way.
Johnnie loved God, his family (fiercely), and his friends. The man loved to cook, fish, read, garden, bird watch, build things, the Hokies and a good hot dog.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 29th from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee Davis Road, Mechanicsville. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 30, at 11:00 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 8154 Atlee Road, Mechanicsville, with a reception to follow. Johnnie did not like neck ties and doesn’t expect you to wear one either. Dress is casual.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church for Property/Maintenance.
The family would like to thank our friends and family for their unwavering love and support, we are blessed. Thanks also to Dr. Kumar Abhishek and the staff at the Outpatient Infusion Center at Memorial Regional Medical Center, for their compassion and care.
