Shella Earline Collins

Shella E. Collins (née Johnson), age 81, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, at Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis, MO, surrounded by the warmth and love of her family.

Born on May 13, 1944, Shella lived a life defined by creativity, adventure, and an enduring entrepreneurial spirit. For decades, she traveled the country alongside her late husband, Earnie, turning her passion for jewelry-making into a wandering lifestyle. Together, they navigated the highways of America, bringing Shella’s handmade artistry to craft shows from the desert landscapes of Albuquerque, NM, to the shores of San Diego, CA, and the coastal beauty of Satellite Beach and Cape Canaveral, FL.

Though she traveled far and wide, Shella remained a familiar face in the St. Louis metro area, where she shared her craft with her local community. She was rarely seen without her "co-pilots"—her beloved pets Daisy, Baby, Oliver, Lil Bit, and Harley—who provided constant companionship on the open road.

Family and Legacy

Shella was a devoted mother and a cherished friend. Her legacy of independence and artistry lives on through her family.

She is survived by:

* Kimberly V. (Kevin Michael) Koch of Swansea, IL

* Diane E. (Steven J) Thompson of O'Fallon, IL

She was preceded in death by:

* Earnie M. Collins, her beloved husband

* Violet E. Johnson (née Smith), mother

* Herschel E. Johnson Sr., father

* Herschel E. Johnson Jr., brother

* As well as a number of Nieces & Nephew

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." Shella’s handiwork remains in the homes and lives of the countless people who wear her jewelry, a testament to a life spent creating beauty across the miles.

Private interment at Valhalla Gardens of Memory.