Laura Rose Ritchie Collins

Born Laura Rose Ritchie December 14th, 1943 in Corbin, KY, she grew up as the daughter of Wayne and Leida Ritchie, and sister to Wilson and Bob.

When she was still a little girl, her family moved to Knoxville, TN where she spent most of her growing up years. She remained there through college while she attended and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1965.

For a short time after college, she worked for the local dairy council, but soon after, in 1966, she left for Atlanta, GA taking a position in fashion and merchandising for Rich’s Department store.

Before leaving for Atlanta, she had a party with her friends, invited their neighbors over, and cooked her famous baked beans (probably a family recipe). Upon eating those beans, a guest of the party, Kyle Collins, declared, “I am going to marry whoever made these beans!” As it turned out, he was moving to Atlanta too. One year later, on October 14th, 1967 Kyle Collins and Laura Rose Ritchie were married.

And they didn’t waste any time, because one year later Kristen was born, followed a few years later by Susan, and several years after that, Spencer.

Lolly had a way of making everyone feel like family. She had many adopted sons, daughters, sisters, and brothers. She is the most hospitable person I’ve ever known. So, it felt like God made her for the roles she took for almost a decade as a teacher at Eastside Christian School and then at Johnson Ferry Church as the Hospitality Coordinator where she served from 1995-2016.

If you were lucky enough to know Lolly Collins, then you were regularly met with a bright smile, a strong hug, and most likely a full belly from a delicious meal she cooked. You also probably felt like you were the most important person in the world when you were with her.

Almost everything she touched she made better, whether it was a person, a window that needed cleaning, or a silver tea set. She looked for the best in people and never gave up on them. She was always one to find the bright side, and she encouraged those around her to do the same. She helped us all believe that we were loved and cherished by a good and gracious God who had a solid plan for our lives.

Her legacy is truly one that will last through the ages, spanning years of family members who can sing her funny songs, recount her zeal for life, and know how to beautifully set a table. Although some of these things were absent in the last years of her life, even Parkinson’s wasn’t enough to keep her down. Until the last moments of her life she was still flashing her signature grin and wink as she told us, “I love you.”

The greatest love of Lolly’s life and where she placed her greatest hope was in the person of Jesus, who knew her to the depths, and loved her far more than she ever could have imagined.

Left behind with decades of fond memories and love for Lolly are: Her husband of 55 years, Kyle Collins. Her 3 children, Kristen Pyle, Susan Boatright, and Spencer Collins. Their spouses David Pyle, Jason Boatright, and Becky Collins. Her 8 grandchildren, Catherine, Hallie, Harrison, Ansley, Andrew, Sadie, Tripp, and Charlie. Her brother and sister-in-law Wilson and Nancy Ritchie. Her late brother’s wife, Beverly Gill. And all her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Leida Ritchie, and her brother, Robert (Bob) Ritchie. I suspect they are having one incredible reunion.

A visitation for Lolly will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel at 1157 Old Canton Rd NE, Marietta, GA 30068.

A memorial service will be the following day at 11 AM at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in the sanctuary.

In honor and memory of Lolly’s life, please consider donations to:

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church- Global Ministries

955 Johnson Ferry Road

Marietta, GA 30068

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