Betty Collins

Betty Collins passed at home from this earthly place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in Destin, FL under the wonderful care of Emerald Coast Hospice.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel, Enterprise, AL with Rev. Sonny Moore officiating and Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until service time.

Betty was born to John Marvin and Ruth Baggett at home in Whigham, Georgia on September 25, 1937 as their second child of three. She and her family were members of Providence Baptist Church in Whigham Georgia and later at First Baptist Church in Enterprise, Alabama. She graduated from Whigham High School in Georgia in 1955. She met the love of her life, Larry Collins in 1953 and they married on September 28, 1955 in Cairo, Georgia. They got married while Larry was on leave from Terminal Island Naval Air Station in California. She joined him by train later in Long Beach, California. They enjoyed being in a new place so far from home and soon thereafter their first child was born, Debra Ann. After leaving the Navy, they both traveled to Chamblee, Georgia where Larry attended Southern Technical College. While in Atlanta, their second child, Tara Lynn, was born. After finishing he secured a job with Vitro Services so they moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida where eventually their third child, Alan Bruce was born. After their children were grown, Larry took a position at Enterprise Electronics and they moved in 1989. Their house is a special place of love. They were married 70 years this coming September. Betty was well known as Mama Collins to many young children who she kept in her own preschool at home. She also taught many classes at church to include Special Education, which was her favorite. While teaching Vacation Bible School, she went into labor and delivered Alan.

Betty was an excellent seamstress and both her daughters wore her creations that included matching mother and daughter’s Easter dresses. She loved to work growing flowers and vegetables, especially camellias, hydrangeas, and roses. Her children loved all the kittens and puppies that she enjoyed raising. Later, she took up painting and created many beautiful pieces which she loved to share with others. Every family member has cutting boards with a painted rooster and multiple paintings in their home with varied themes. Her volunteer jobs at the American Red Cross and many nursing homes were special to her. Everyone knows Betty for her outstanding cooking and her famous dish, Eat it and Hush! Betty and Larry traveled the world with Enterprise Electronics to include; Casa Blanca, Isle of Wight, Belgium, and Scotland. After retirement, she enjoyed second homes in Tennessee and Florida.

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings; John Marvin Baggett, Ruth Butler Baggett, and Eugene (Boot) Baggett.

Survivors include her husband, Aaron Larry Collins; sister, Maxie Sumner; children, Debra Ann Goolsby (John), Tara Lynn Taylor (Keith), and Alan Bruce Collins (Lora); grandchildren, Justin Boutwell (Despina), Brandon Boutwell (Helene), Greyson Collins, and Colby Collins; great-grandchildren, Marko Boutwell and Aaron Boutwell; many nieces, nephews and extended family.