Lucille Collins

Lucille Collins, age 85, departed this life on May 22, 2013 with her children by her side. She was born April 1, 1928 in Denton, Arkansas, to Frank and Artie (Driskell) Collins. Lucille lost her mother when she was 3 years old and she lived in Denton with her father until the age of 15 when she moved to Kansas City to live with her sister, Margaret O'Neill. After WWII, she met James Ralph Collins. They were married on April 26, 1946 and to this union four children were born. They moved to Ava in February of 1951, and have lived there since.

Her joy was being with her family and spending time with her friends. She loved to golf and was a Charter Member of the Ava Country Club. She loved being outdoors, gardening, growing African violets and watching her hummingbirds.

Lucille is survived by her four children and their families; Connie and George Hetherington, Linda and Lendell King, Marla and Joe Yeager, Dennis Collins and Linda Elliott, all of Ava, as well as eleven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Glane Hagens of Lee's Summit, MO and was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her parents and three sisters.

Funeral services will be held at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava on Saturday, May 25, at 10 AM. Visitation will be on Friday, May 24, from 6 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Ava Cemetery with Pastor Oren Alcorn officiating.

Memorials may be made to Ava Elementary School (for technology resources), Neighbors Helping Neighbors or to Memorial Plaque in Lucille's honor to be placed at the Ava Country Club golf course (checks can be made out to Michelle Peck).