Wilda Bradley Collins

Rosa “Wilda” Bradley Collins entered eternal rest on Friday, January 5, 2024, under the care of Hospice of Golden Isles in Brunswick, Georgia. She was born on May 17, 1926, in Ila, Georgia (Madison County). She was the daughter of Jesse Reeves and Agatha Elizabeth Swindell Bradley. She was the youngest of three children. She lived most of her life in Athens-Clarke County and graduated from the eleventh grade from Normal School in 1943. She attended cosmetology school after completing high school. After high school, she spent a couple of years with her sister and brother in-law in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She held several jobs before marrying and becoming a stay at home mother for their three children.

She first met her future husband, George Darwin Collins, when they were teenagers as their families lived close to each other. They were married on July 31, 1949, and enjoyed over 53 years together. They were the proud parents of three children: Jerrell Darwin Collins, Sandra Gail Collins Sorrells, and Cathy Diane Collins Tatum. They enjoyed spending time with their four grandchildren as they grew up.

Wilda was a devout Christian and enjoyed serving the Lord at her churches over the years, particularly at Sandy Creek Baptist Church in Athens, and First Christian Church in Monroe. She was an avid reader and especially loved reading the Bible. She taught Sunday School many years, sang in the church choir, and served in the church nursery.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, George Darwin Collins, her parents, Jesse Reeves and Agatha Elizabeth Swindell Bradley, her brother, Theron Bradley, her sister Grace Bradley Guthrie, and her daughter in-law, Tammy Hurd Collins. She is survived by her son, Jerry Collins, daughters Sandra Collins Sorrells (David), and Cathy Collins Tatum (Kevin), grandchildren Kevin Thomas “Kitt” Tatum (Coleen Harper), Collin Bradley Tatum, Carrie Elizabeth Tatum, and Kayla Diane Tatum, great grandchildren Madison Harper, Alison Harper, Raven Brantley Tatum, and Damien Harper Tatum, her sister in-law, Harriett Collins Coleman, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Golden Isles for the love and care given to our Mom during these last months.

Visitation will be held in Brunswick at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home from 6 to 8 pm, on Wednesday, January 10, and also in Monroe at Meadows Funeral Home at 10 am on Friday, January 12. Services will be held in the chapel of Meadows Funeral Home at 11 am on Friday, January 12.

Flowers or a memorial donation to the charity of your choice are equally welcome. Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is entrusted with local arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com