Barbara Thelma Collins

Barbara Thelma Higgins was born in Bakersfield California on January 15, 1927 to Harold and Thelma Higgins. She was the big sister of her brother little Harold. Barbara spent most of her childhood in Bakersfield except for living in Randsburg from age three to six where her father worked as a miner. She graduated from Bakersfield High School (then KCUHS) in 1945, where she was particularly fond of horticulture, and throughout her life could make plants flourish.

When she was 18 she worked at a small market near her home and was impressed by the butcher boy who made the meat deliveries. They dated and later she married James W. Stormont on March 31, 1946 into a family with many brothers & sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. A small wedding with a few witnesses and no honeymoon they went to work the next day and people thought saying they were married was an April Fool’s joke. That joke lasted for 41 years until Jimmie passed away in July of 1987. Five years after his passing she married Marshall Collins who she knew from Calvary Bible Church where they attended. After 15 years of marriage she outlived her second husband.

Perpetually cheerful and always helpful she worked with husband Jim at Center Street and Foodville Markets while raising their three sons in East Bakersfield. She blessed many groups with her joy and competence through the years including the Boy Scouts (BSA), Joaquin Squares, the Discovery Shop and the Greenfield Senior Center and was continually jumping into new hobbies. She was respected and loved by neighbors on Kentucky Street, Wheatland Avenue and Duke Drive as well as at Calvary Bible Church and Heritage Bible Church where she last attended.

Through her sons Jeff, Wally, and Tim Stormont, and their respective marriages to Lyn Hatfield, Sagrario Roque, and Tammie McGuire she became grandmother to Matt, Meghan, Devan, Jeremiah, Job, Kathleen and Adam. Plus ten great grandchildren, to date, from which she got the nickname “GG” (Great-grandma).

Barbara went to be with the Lord Jesus on December 7, 2021 when the Savior welcomed her into the hospitality of heaven after more than a year of struggle with her deteriorating health.

The family wishes to thank Physicians Preferred Hospice for her care and Heritage Bible Church for their prayer and friendship.

Services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park at 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA. where she will be laid to rest beside first husband Jim. Viewing is set for Sunday January 9, 2022 from 4-6 PM. The memorial service will be Monday January 10, 2022 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the COLLINS family.