Jean Allerton Collins

Jean (Allerton) Collins, 90, formerly of Largo, FL, passed away peacefully on Sept. 10, 2023, in Roswell, GA, surrounded by her loving family. Jean was born on Jan. 6, 1933, in Stoke-on-Trent, England to the late Elizabeth May (Talbot) Allerton and Sidney Allerton. She was a graduate of what is now known as Alleyne’s Academy in Stone, Staffordshire, England. She met the love of her life, the late Franklin Otis Collins, in the summer of 1956 at a military officer’s club in London while Frank was serving as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. They dated for six weeks before Frank’s tour of duty was over. He began writing Jean the first of many heartfelt letters on his return flight to the United States and mailed her an engagement ring shortly thereafter. Some 8 months would pass before Jean boarded a French ocean liner for the 6-day journey to New York City and, from there, traveled by train to downtown Clearwater where Frank was eagerly waiting for her. They married on May 19, 1957, at the little country church in Fort Ogden, FL, where Frank grew up. Together they raised five daughters in Largo, the city Jean would call home for 63 years before being relocated to a memory care facility in Roswell, GA in December 2020. Jean was a longtime member of Skycrest Baptist Church in Clearwater, now known as Skycrest Community Church, where she served as a third-grade Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School leader, exceptional ministry bus driver, and master baby whisperer in the church nursery. She was an active member of the British Biscuits Club and two service organizations, the Largo Woman’s Club and the Suncoast Woman’s Club, where she devoted much of her energy helping the Good Samaritan Mission in Wimauma, FL, and disadvantaged children at Mildred Helms Elementary School in Largo. She also was an avid bowler for many years and retired from playing club tennis at Clearwater’s McMullen Tennis Complex when she turned 75. Jean loved watching “Jeopardy!,” “Family Feud,” Wimbledon tennis matches, and University of Florida football. She embraced life to the fullest, was always ready for a good laugh, and was keenly devoted to her family and many friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Frank Collins; her parents; and her brother, Roy Allerton, and his wife, Margaret (Young) Allerton. She is survived by her five daughters, Lesley, Tracy, Lori, Lynn, and Kelly, and their spouses; a brother, John Allerton, and wife Cynthia; a sister, Linda Harland, and husband Steve; a brother-in-law, Vernon Collins, and wife Faye; a sister-in-law, Wanda Watts Jonas; 9 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; many nieces and nephews; and several special granddogs. We miss her already and will carry her love in our hearts always.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Skycrest Community Church, 125 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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