Gracie Collins

Gracie Darlene Collins slipped the surly bond of Earth to be with her Heavenly Father on May 14, 2018, at the age of 77. Funeral services, under the direction of Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors of Whitney, will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 17, at Abiding Life Full Gospel Church in Whitney, with Pastor Curtis McGehee officiating. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.

Darlene was born on November 28, 1940, in Waxahachie, to Douglas Odell and Grace Juanita (Murdoch) Hollingsworth. She graduated from Waxahachie High School in 1959. On July 28, 1970, she married Edwin Lee Collins. For 25 years, she worked at Ryder Truck Rental in Dallas and while employed there, she was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of purchasing a farm and moving to Whitney. For 35 years, she owned and assisted with operations of Collins Hitching Post.

She was a faithful member of Abiding Life Full Gospel Church in Whitney. An avid reader and quilter, she was also a cattle woman having assisted her daughter and grandchildren with raising both registered Hereford and Jersey Dairy cows. As member of Whitney’s Eastern Star, she served as Worthy Matron.

Preceding her in death were her parents; sisters, Bonnie Zonelle Hollingsworth and Margaret Lee; two grandchildren, Daniel James Bailey and Judith Ann (Ju-Ju) Collins.

Survivors include a host of children, in-laws, and grandchildren, whether you were married into or born into the family, you were counted as hers - her husband of 48 years, Edwin Lee Collins; three daughters, Gina Boiles and husband, Homer of Whitney, Holly Collins of Whitney, Lisa Bailey and husband, Robert of Bristol, Indiana; two sons, Edwin Collins of Whitney and Douglas Collins of Valley Mills; daughter-in-law, Terri (Collins) Millerd of Waco and step-daughter, Donna Collins Mallard of Longview; grandchildren, Kyle Bailey and wife, Kelly of Yucapia, California, Gabrielle Bailey of Bristol, Indiana, David and Laurie Wilkins, Devin and Leticia Wilkins, Sean Boiles and wife, Amanda; Brittany McGehee and husband, Jason of Whitney; Alex, Logan, and Victoria Collins of Waco, Jacob Collins (USN), stationed at Naval Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, Katie and Eli Collins of Cleburne; 7 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; a brother-in-law, Billy Hardin and a sister-in-law, Jessie Little.

Viewing and Visitation

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM ,Thursday, May 17, 2018
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney
201 North Bosque Whitney, TX 76692

Funeral Service

2:00 PM ,Thursday, May 17, 2018
Abiding Life Full Gospel Church
1107 North Brazos Whitney, TX 76692

Burial

Thursday, May 17, 2018
Bethlehem Cemetery
HCR 1245 Whitney, TX 76692