Brigitte "Oma" M. Collins

Brigitte "Oma" M. Collins, age 85, of Columbus, Georgia passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023. A visitation for the friends and family of Brigitte will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.

Brigitte was born on February 23, 1937, in Erlangen, Germany; the daughter of George Baum and Betty Fisher Baum. She came to the United States in her early twenties as a young military wife and mother. Mom or "Oma" as she was affectionately known by all the kids, was German born and raised. She took great pride in cooking her German dishes. Her German potato salad, Black Forest Cake and cheesecake were legendary and her German cookies were our favorite every year.

She graduated from Columbus Technical College as a medical assistant. Through the years, she worked at The Medical Center, West Central Georgia Regional Hospital, and East Alabama Medical Center.

She was a hard worker. She took great pride in her home. She was self taught in carpentry, minor construction and home repair. She built dollhouses, birdhouses, train track sets and many other things for her children and grandchildren. She was amazingly creative! She took a playhouse and made it totally self sufficient, built the cabinets, pulled electricity to it for lights and a working ceiling fan. It had everything a child could want with a complete kitchen and dining table, beds for the babies, etc. She also loved plants and her garden! Everything she did was a labor of love for her children and grandchildren. She loved her family with all her heart! She was tough though, that German tough. She held us accountable on a daily basis and let us know she expected more.

Brigitte is preceded in death by: her parents, her sisters, Eleanor Baum, Inge Horton, and her brother, Walter Baum.

Survivors include: a son, Charles Collins, a daughter, Nancy Hadley, a son, Jeff (Debbie) Collins, a son, Carlton (Tammy) Collins; grandchildren, Brittney Collins, Zachary (Brittni) Collins, Carlton (Kayla) Collins, Jr., Scout Hadley; one great grandchild, Knox Collins; a brother Kurt Baum, and a sister Renate.

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