Lynelle (Collins) Adams

Lynelle Collins Adams, age 99, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family Friday, January 4, 2019. She was born August 13, 1919 in the Friendship community of Marshall County, AL to John Robert and Vela Betty Collins

Born Mary Imogene, her family was drawn to a different name (long story) early on and changed her name to Mary Lynelle. She was the second youngest of six children and grew up during The Great Depression; an experience that molded who she was until the very day she died. Her mother died when she was 16, requiring her to quit school to take care of family and not finish her education. She would later marry Coy Adams, attend cosmetology school to become a beautician, move to Gadsden, and raise two daughters.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers Herman Collins, John Collins; sisters Opal Collins Heath, Lois Collins Brooks, and several nieces and nephews. She is survived by her children Terri Adams Riddle, Angie Adams (Jan) Patterson, grandchildren Aleece (Kevan) Riddle McGehee, Amanda (Scott) Riddle Cheatham, Ashley (Tommy) Leeth Russell, Will (Ashley) Leeth, great-grandchildren Elizabeth (Levi) McGehee Mixon, Riley Russell, Lainey Russell, Davis Leeth, great-great-grandchildren Batey Claire Mixon, Anna Mills Mixon, John Henry Mixon, and a host of dearly beloved nieces and nephews too numerous to list.

Lynelle was a devoted Christian woman who loved her Lord Jesus Christ and left a beautiful legacy for her family. She served many years at East Gadsden Baptist Church and was recognized in 2016 as the oldest active member. She was the honored matriarch of her family, keeping them together with home cooked weekly family dinners; the most recent being Christmas Eve. She fiercely loved her family, friends, church, playing dominos, reading, watching Alabama football, reading her Bible, and bossing/loving her girls and grandchildren. She leaves a hole that will never be filled on this earth, but is celebrating forever more in heaven and we rejoice in that.

Special thanks to Hannah Handy with Amedisys Hospice, Dr. William R. Harrison, & Dr. Ralph Wesley, all of whom took excellent care of our mother and Nana over the years and last few months.

Funeral services are Tuesday, January 8 at Collier-Butler Funeral Home. Visitation is 1:00 - 3:00 and the service will be at 3:00 in the chapel. There will be no graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to either East Gadsden Baptist Church or the Humane Society Pet Rescue and Adoption Center (HSPRAC.org).