Lela Mae Collins

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Lela Mae Collins, 98, a resident of St. Bernard's Village in Jonesboro, AR, peacefully entered  her Lord's  presence on January 6, 2022.

Lela was born on May 13, 1923 in Manila, Arkansas. Her early years were spent in a logging camp in Milligan Ridge before her parents, Robert and Mabel Barker, began farming there.  She graduated from Manila High School then attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro for two years.  She taught 2 ^nd grade for two years at Milligan Ridge

She married Harvie Collins on March 30, 1944 after he returned from his service in the Army Air Corp during World War II.  After the war, they both worked for Kellogg in Battle Creek, Michigan before Harvie reenlisted in the Air Force.  Their daughter Patty was born at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, LA.  Their son Donny was born at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, IL. In 1953, they moved to Lancaster, California where Harvie completed his military career at Edwards Air Force Base.  Their son David was born there.

After Harvie’s retirement from the Air Force in 1962, they moved to Manchester, Tennessee.   A year later they moved to Huntsville, Alabama.  After Harvie’s final retirement in 1982, God lead them to serve as volunteers at the Word of Life Camp in Hudson, Florida from 1984-1996.  Those were some of the best years of their lives.

Lela enjoyed sewing and cross stitch. She owned a small fabric store for several years in Alabama.  She enjoyed baking for others and her pies were legendary. She was also an avid Auburn football fan. In addition to their volunteer work in Florida, her community involvement included serving as a 4-H leader, a Sunday School teacher and a booster club sponsor.  She was also actively involved in Women’s Ministries in their churches and in the 8 ^th Air Force Historical Society.

In 2005, they became residents at St. Bernard's Village. After Harvie passed away in 2010, she remained actively involved in life at St. Bernard's. She volunteered in the Ice Cream Parlor, the Country Store and helped with Bingo.  She also was an active participant in the Thursday afternoon Bible Study and in a prayer group.

Survivors include: sister Peggy (WL) Doyle; children Patty (Highland) Goodman, Donny (Cooky) Collins and David (Jeanie) Collins; grandchildren Julie (Dan) Orlando, Spring (Keith) Sneed, Phil (Rachel) Goodman, Summer Collins, Sonny (Becky) Collins, Chris (Alex) Collins, Kyle Dowless and Shane Dowless; and great grandchildren  Justin Goodman, Lawson Collins, Lillian Goodman, Isabel Goodman, Silas Goodman, Drake Collins,  Luke Collins, Davis Collins, Channa Dowless and Evan Dowless; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, January 29 at 10am, at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro and will be live streamed on their web site.  Burial will be at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Monrovia, AL, January 31, 1 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Word of Life Camp, 13001 Word of Life Dr,  Hudson, FL 34669    www.florida.wol.org