Rita Marie Collins

Rita Marie (Jones) Collins was born in Chicago, Illinois to the Union of Adell Dorothy and Albert Jones on September 9, 1930. She was the oldest of six children. She attended Wendell Phillips High School and graduated in January 1949. She also attended Kennedy King City College with studies in early child development. Rita met the love of her life and married Albert Collins on January 14, 1949. For much of her life, Rita was a stay at home mom to their five children. Later, in an effort to better living conditions for her family, she took her first job as a cashier in a neighborhood grocery store. She then elevated her career by working at the United States Post Office for several years. In another career move, she then took a job as a school bus attendant, where she remained until her retirement in 1993. This career move afforded her the opportunity to work with young children in many different schools in the Chicagoland area. Her last assignment was at William H. Ryder Elementary School on Chicago's South Side. As a wife and mother she worked tirelessly with her own children as well as many others along the way. Rita and Albert worked together to give to all their children a solid foundation in life. In 1980, Rita had the privilege of finding the truth of God's word and symbolized her dedication as one of Jehovah's Witnesses by water baptism on October 11, 1980. In that capacity she spent many hours preaching about her grand God, Jehovah. She and her husband Albert enjoyed a wonderful life serving Jehovah God faithfully until their deaths. Sister Collins fell asleep in death early Saturday morning, October 25, 2014. Her husband Albert preceded her in death on October 5, 1997; both parents and her step-father, Frederick L. Wilson; siblings, Albert Jones Jr., Eugene Wilson and George Wilson; and her grandson, Steven "Scotty", also preceded her in death. Rita leaves to cherish her memory, one sister, Lois Berkley; two brothers, Arthur Wilson and Leonard (Patricia) Wilson; one sister-in-law, Edith Wilson; her five children, Sharon (McQuillie) Lumpkin, Steven (Carolyn) Collins, Victor (Cynthia) Collins, Gerald Collins and Carol (Johnny) Banks; her love for her children is only surpassed by the love she had for her twelve grandchildren, Sharita (Adam) Lira, Wyleen (Sam) Howard, Marcus (Lyn-toi) Lumpkin, Leslie Collins, Victor K. and Andrea Collins, Nicole and Candyce Banks, Rita Shae and Kenya Collins, Taylor and Erin Collins; three great grandchildren, Jason and Jordan Lumpkin and Nadia Lira; fond memories are also held by nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, along with a host of other family and friends.

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Rita Marie Collins

September 9, 1930 - October 25, 2014