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Collins, Shirley A.
Shirley A. Collins, 82, of Cedar Rapids, died Nov. 9, 2011, in her home following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Visitation will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Entombment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Surviving are her children, Imelda K. Collins and Russell L. Collins and wife Marvalene, both of Cedar Rapids, Kai M. Collins and wife Patricia of Austin, Texas and Damien D. Collins and wife Martha of Cedar Rapids; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Eleanore Byes and Barbara Mitchell; and her brother, Baylor Goode.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Russell; and her siblings, Phillip, Jeanette and Theodore.
Shirley Ann Collins was born Dec. 4, 1928, in Coeburn, Va., the daughter of Harry James and Hariette Belle (Keller) Patton. Following high school, she came to Cedar Rapids and attended Coe College, where she met Russell L. Collins in 1947. She was united in marriage to Dr. Russell L. Collins DDS on June 3, 1948, in Cedar Rapids. After their marriage, Shirley and Russell traveled extensively during Russell's military service. They later moved back to Cedar Rapids from Germany. In the mid 1970s, Shirley graduated with a bachelor's degree in social work from the former Mount Mercy College. She later was awarded her master's in social work from the University of Iowa. She worked out of Hera in Iowa City and later out of Jane Boyd in Cedar Rapids in her private practice of social work and psychotherapy. She then began a private practice that lasted until 1986, when she retired.
She was a long time supporter of NAACP, a member of the Just Us Club and Friendship Forum. Shirley enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing, quilting and her beloved cats. Above all her greatest enjoyment was time spent with her family.
She will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Shirley's honor may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, please visit .
Please leave a message, tribute or memory to the Collins' family on the Web page, under obituaries.
Published Nov. 13, 2011, in The Gazette
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