Ashley Nicole Collier was a person of high caliber that was rare in today's young people. So says her friend Sharron Burke of Arab.

"She had the most unmatchable work ethic," Burke sai. "Her character, her integrity, her honesty, her friendship and her smile are things I will truly miss."

Collier, 22, of Arab was killed about 2 p.m. Monday when she apparently pulled out in front of a tractor truck at the intersection of Mayberry Lane and Ala. 69 in Grassy. Truck driver Heath Stiepp was not injured.

The eastbound lane of Ala. 69 was closed for nearly three hours while troopers conducted their investigation. Eastbound traffic was diverted to the westbound lane during the investigation.

Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. tonight at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel. Her funeral service is at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the funeral home with burial to follow in New Friendship Cemetery.

Collier, a 2006 Arab High School graduate, was a student at Snead State Community College. She was scheduled to graduate with honors in August.

She wanted to be a medical administrative assistant.

"The earth is a much sadder place without her," Burke said.

Collier had babysat Burke's grandchildren since she was 16 years old.

"She's be in our lives for a long time, and she was just a wonderful person," Burke said. "She was an unbelievable person. She was my 'Girl Friday,' and she taught me so much."

Collier was likely on her way to Grassy Elementary School to pick up a little girl she babysat for, Burke said.

"She was just starting to hand out her resumes looking for a career," she said. "I took her to Bridge Street (shopping center) in Huntsville last week. She'd never been, so I took her to lunch, and we went to the Huntsville Eye Care Center to give them her resume. We had such a good time."

Burke called Collier an absolute doll.

"Everyone loved her," she said. "She was the rock of her family, and she was a friend to everyone."

By Tuesday afternoon, more than 40 of her friends and family had posted comments on Collier's Facebook page. Among them were:

Your smile will greatly be missed. You and Mackenzie (her sister) were always hilarious together. It seems like yesterday we were playing basketball for Coach Casey. I know you are in a better place - Amber Bolding Ashley.

How I am going to miss your beautiful smile. Thank you for loving my nephew the way you did. I could see it in your face. God has you now. How blessed he is. I love and miss you - Danett Whitworth Dorning.

I love you so much, Ashley. I still cannot believe that you are gone. I saw you a couple a days ago, and now you are not here with us. You were an excellent friend, sister and daughter. We are all gonna miss you so much, sweetheart - Ailu Barrera Hernandez.

Ashley, you are one of the sweetest friends that I know. I will always remember your beautiful smile and your sweet face. I was blessed to know a special person like you and your family. God bless all of you - Cheri Strickland.

I can't believe you are gone. I'm going to miss you so much words just can't explain. I'm going to miss all the weekends in T-town we had together and all the weekends we will never have. I will never forget you. You will always be in my heart. I know you will be watching down on me and making sure I do the right things, just like you did so many times for me in the past. You will always be like a sister to me, and I will love you forever - Joey Harnack.

A memorial fund has been set up at Redstone Federal Credit Union to help Collier's family with her funeral expenses. Donations can be made at any Redstone branch to the "Ashley Collier Memorial Fund."

Collier is survived by her parents: Johnny and Lachelle Collier of Arab; her sister: Mackenzie Collier; her boyfriend: Cody Sivley; grandparents: Dale and Peggy Ashburn, Brenda and David Jolley and Gail Knight of Arab; and great-grandmother: Winnie Leath of Arab.