Gladalea Kiser Collins

Mrs. Collins was born & raised in Greene County in the beautiful St. James area. Gladalea attended St. James Lutheran Church during her childhood where she also served as pianist & organist as a young lady. She graduated from St. James High School, then married her high school sweetheart, Lowell. For career purposes, they moved to Bristol, TN then on to Raliegh (Knightdale), NC where Gladalea served as a Student Advisor in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at North Carolina State University. During her time spent in Bristol & Knightdale, she always served as a pianist & organist at the churches they were devoted to. With Gladalea’s love for music, she happily taught private piano lessons to children wherever she lived. After many years of service, she retired from the University one year prior to moving back to her hometown. Upon returning to Greeneville, Gladalea faithfully attended Towering Oaks Baptist Church, along with her husband, as long as her health permitted.

Gladalea is survived by her husband of 65 years, Lowell Collins; a sister-in-law, Linda Kiser of Greeneville; nephew, Doug (Kathy) Kiser; great niece & nephew, Nathan & Danielle; niece, Vicky Kiser (Donnie) Hurt of Copper Hill, VA; great niece, Shelby (Bret) Murphy; great niece, Anna Hurt; great-great niece, Zoe Hurt of Vinton, VA; nephew, Jonathan Kiser; great nephews, Jackson W. Kiser & John David Kiser; niece, Amanda Kiser (Casey) Varden; great nephews, Cameron & Connor Varden of Jemison, AL. Some very special Caregivers, who will always be considered part of the family, have provided comfort & care with love over a period of 12 years including Lisa Gregg, who helped part time, Lisa Collins Vine for 6+ years, & most recently, Mary Tweed. Each in their own way has brought peace, comfort, & friendship to Gladalea and to Lowell. In-laws: Jimmy & Brenda Starnes; Tommy & Sandra Collins; Kyle and Laura Collins; Johnny & Teresa Collins; Debbie Gregory; and many other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James D. & Vivian Kiser; two brothers, Lowell D. Kiser and Johnny Kiser; sister-in-law, Beth Kiser; father-in-law & mother-in-law, Ivan Collins, Sr. & Easter Collins; and a brother-in-law, Ivan Collins, Jr.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 3:00-6:00 pm at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home with the funeral service to follow at 6:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Rev. Dennis Shumate, Rev. Tommy Collins, and Rev. Mark Starnes will officiate. Pianist Cindy Walter will provide instrumental music.

Interment will be conducted on Wednesday at 11:00 am at St. James Lutheran Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery at 10:45 on Wednesday for the interment.

Gladalea’s nieces & nephews will be honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 3205 St. James Road, Greeneville, TN 37743.

Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com