She was born July 22, 1930, in Tampa, FL, a daughter of the late Joseph Parra and Rose Lacedonia Parra. Carmen’s family moved to New York City during the Great Depression where she spent the majority of her childhood before returning to Miami where she graduated high school. In 1957 she married Richard James Collins and they enjoyed 63 years of love and memories together.
Always ready to help others, Carmen was Past President of the Junior Women’s Club of Lake Alford, FL, active in the women’s ministries of Alta Woods Presbyterian Church in Jackson, and a member of the choir at Lakeland Presbyterian Church where she attended for more than 20 years. She was a stay-home mother while her children were small, returning to the work-force once they were in school. She drove a bus for Hinds County Schools and worked in fine china at McRae’s Department Store before her 30 year career as an x-ray technician for St Dominic Hospital.
In her free time Carmen enjoyed many interests. Passionate about the arts, she was an accomplished artist and enjoyed painting and creating many needlework designs. Her eclectic taste in music included everything from Dvorak, Pavarotti to the Beatles and Bob Dylan as well as an appreciation for ballet and other fine arts.
Carmen modeled her life as a Christian wife and mother, and her dedication to her Lord and her family were evident in all she did. Carmen delighted in holidays and family gatherings. She relished drawing her family together, happily singing or humming as she lovingly prepared banquets of their favorite dishes, and she passed her legacy of love and tradition to her children and grandchildren.
Perhaps Carmen will best be remembered for her unique and boisterous personality. Her innate ability to quickly endear others to herself and her quick wit ensured she was well loved and not easily forgotten.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard J. Collins; children, Susan Andrews (Robert), Ruth Price (Jim), Daniel Collins (Beth), and Paul Collins (Valerie); grandchildren, Jennifer Medeiros, Frank Andrews, Katherine Moore, James Price, Hannah Price, Gabe Collins, Ben Collins, Tyler Collins, and Blake Collins; great-grandchildren, Taylor Clay, Jordan Clay, Lilly Medeiros, and Ezra Medeiros; sister, Dale Davies (Bill); and nieces and nephews, Karan Quintero, Jeanette Alfonso, Quinton Quintero, and Judy Collins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Alice Quintero.
The family will receive friends from 12:15pm until 1:15pm, Monday, November 2, 2020, at Lakeland Presbyterian Church. Celebration of Remembrance Services will follow at 1:30pm.
The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to Caring Senior Service of Jackson, Southern Healthcare Agency, and Hospice Ministries of Ridgeland. Their care and expertise have been invaluable to our family.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org, Hospice Ministries of Ridgeland at www.hospiceministries.org. or Lakeland Presbyterian Church at www.lakelandpres.org.
