Jean E. McGaha Collins

Jean Elnora Collins, 79, of Ocoee, passed away Thursday July 14, 2011 in her home. Jean was born May 18, 1932 in Huntsville, AL. She was the youngest of the three children of John Horace and Lena Matilda McGaha. Jean married Edward Collins on October 22, 1953 in Huntsville AL. and began her Life journey, as a military wife, which took her around the world numerous times.

Luckily, for my sister and me she made every new place a loving home for our family. We lived in many places, from Friedberg, Bonn, and Munich, in Germany to Seoul, Korea, and several locations stateside and Mom was always there for us. All that knew Mom recognized her as a caring and loving parent and children’s advocate. Her final Earthly trip brought her to Florida with her family in 1978 where she began working at Sea World’s Florida Festival as a merchandiser and eventually retired from Sea World to enjoy her grandchildren. Mom had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh so powerful that if you were not privy to the trigger that tickled her, you may have to wait several minutes for her to settle down enough to tell you why she was laughing. In addition to her special sense of humor, Mom was special in so many other ways. She was a selfless caregiver to everyone, she always thought of others first and always had a special place in her heart for children, right to the very end the sound of a child’s voice would light up her beautiful blue eyes which will be missed so very much.

Survived by her children, Annette and Frank Warren of Naples, Tom and Kayla Collins of Ocoee, Grandchildren, Matthew Warren of Chipley, Eric Warren of Naples, Zachary Collins of Ocoee, and Paige Collins of Ocoee, as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her husband, Edward LeRoy Collins, 5/17/2001, sister, Thelma Lorine Morris, 7/4/2010, and brother, William Robert McGaha.

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Gotha, FL.