Frances Guinn Collins, age 85, of Sylacauga, Alabama passed away July 14, 2023 at Shelby Baptist Medical Center. She was born in Sylacauga and raised in Alpine, Alabama and preceded in death by her parents Mr. And Mrs. John Willis Guinn, and her brother Grady French Guinn. She is survived by the love of her life of 39 years husband Robert A. Collins, Jr., daughter Karen Blocker (Stoney), son Randall McDonough (Ginger), step-sons Anderson Collins (Stacey) and Brian Collins, grandchildren Sarah Layton (Ben), Ashley Blocker (Brian), Ross Blocker, Justin Johnson, Bella Collins, Will Collins, George Collins, great-grandchildren Kane Dupree and Jake Layton, nephew Chris Guinn (Heather), great-nieces Marleigh and Highland, great-nephews Rush and Carson.
Frances lived 85 wonderful years, loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the fullest.
She loved her Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Sylacauga. She also was very active in Cherokee Garden Club and loved her time spent with those ladies. She cherished all the friendships she made over her 85 years.
She graduated from Winterboro High School in 1956, and she loved to talk about those days when she drag-raced cars - 58 black Impala - 2 door with a 348 engine to be exact.
She loved old cars and shared that passion with her husband. She grew up on a farm in Alpine and was the apple of her dad’s eye.
She was a beautiful lady and won several beauty contests back in her day, Miss Sylacauga Jaycees for one. She worked at the Phone company in Sylacauga for over 17 years. She also worked as a secretary at the Sylacauga School of Nursing. She recently retired from Stop N Shop Auto Sales where she served as secretary and bookkeeper with her husband, Bobby and step-son, Anderson.
She was full of life and had the sweetest way about her. She truly cared about other people and wished the best for everyone. She also loved her dogs, Abbie and Bullet who sat on the porch with her in the evenings.
She loved the Atlanta Braves and Auburn football. She knew every player and watched every game with her husband. She even made a few trips down to Florida for Spring Training to see her favorite team.
She never missed an event her kids, grandkids and now great-grandkids were involved in. She spent many trips to Montgomery to watch softball, Alabaster to watch soccer, and Sylacauga for rec league basketball and Little League baseball. She sent her grandchildren a text every morning checking on them and wanting to know what was going on that day. She was a blessing in their lives and such a wonderful role model and lady of grace and compassion. She was their best friend and was always there when they needed her.
Her great-grandkids were raised on her pound cake -“bread cake” as Kane called it.
She can make it like no other. That is Bobby’s staple every Friday along with a chocolate pie. One of her recent pastimes was helping her son-in-law Stoney take care of her great-grandson Jake. She loved taking care of people so much!
Frances was a devout Christian and wanted everyone to know the Lord and have a relationship with him.
She loved music and singing in church on Sundays. She always had music on in the car. Randall gets his love of music and singing from her. Randall will always cherish when she came to hear him sing in church. She made this world a better place by her being in it. She leaves behind a great legacy.
The family would like to thank: The staff at Coosa Valley Medical Center, The staff at Shelby Baptist Medical Center, The Pastoral Staff and members of First Baptist Church and Russell Chapel Baptist Church for all the love, care, and comfort given.
A visitation for Frances will be held Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Curtis and Son Funeral Home, 1315 Talladega Hwy, Sylacauga, Alabama 35150, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, 1501 Talladega Highway, Sylacauga, Alabama 35150, following the service.
In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to: Forward in Faith Ministry at First Baptist Church in Sylacauga or the American Heart Association.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.curtisandsonfh.com for the Collins family.
