Athelene Collett

On August 27, 1921 the Lord blessed Lee Gullatt and Izzy Moseley with the birth of their only child, Athelene Gullatt in Grant Parish, in Selma, Louisiana. Izzy died shortly after the Athelene’s birth. Athelene, whom we all refer to lovingly as “Mother”, traveled with her father to Texarkana and stayed with her paternal grandmother, Mary Ann Younger. “Mother” was 4 years old when her grandmother passed.  The beautiful young energetic “Mother” was raised by her father and stepmothers. At an early age, “Mother” gave her life to Christ and has been a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church for over 60+ years, under the leadership of Rev. W.E. Walker, then under Rev. Samuel Gilbert, Sr., and finally under Rev. Samuel Gilbert, Jr. “Mother” loved to entertain friends and family, which is why she enjoyed a successful career in hospitality as both an entrepreneur and in food service management at the Astrodome. Mother helped everyone! Anyone that wanted to work, had a job at the Astrodome.  Mother was very business-minded and invested in property.  She was very crafty and fashionable. She enjoyed sewing and gifting beauty pillows, making hats and designing jewelry.  “Mother” loved family and never missed her family reunions. She was the matriarch and mentor of her 8 beautiful children, 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren, and countless others. Marriages: Alvoy “Bill” Burns and Javance Collett 8 Children:  Essie Deloris Knox (Joe) and Billie Jean Wiseman (Clarence) by a blessed union with “Bill” Burns.  Edith Carol Green (Darrell), Jerry Bernard Collett, Natalie Harrison (Ronald), Lloyd Ray Collett (Vivian), Tonny Elon Collett, and LaShanda Gale Collett, by a blessed union with Javance Collett. 16 Grandchildren: Randy Burns, Cynthia Odoms (Kevin), Drayton Wiseman (Stacey), Patrick Wiseman (Deandra), LaJuana Wiseman, Chad Wiseman (Cardelia), Kelvin Wiseman, Neni Green, Cokela Walker (Gregory), Van Green, Ra’Shaunda Collett, Lori Collett, Victoria Collett, Brisco Collett, Chanda Davis (Adrian) and Terrance Weaver. 31 Great-grandchildren: Randy Burns, Jr. (Candra), Raven Burns, Juwan Burns, Lauren Burns, Conisha McDowell, Darrius McDowell, Brittney Wiseman, Oliver Wiseman, Jalen Wiseman, Alex Wiseman, Daniel Wiseman, India Wiseman, Matthew Wiseman, Joseph Wiseman, Chad Wiseman, Ronesea Manuel (Terry), Nikesea Hines, Gregory Walker, Nicholas Zephyr, Karson Collett, Bobby Ellis III, Jesse Pringle, Vontae Pringle, Joseph Pringle, Prince Davis, Ja’Von Weaver, Terrance Weaver, Jr., and (Baby Girl Weaver). 7 Great-great grandchildren: Riyah Burns, Joanne Burns, Kennedy Burns, Randy Burns III, Mckenzie Burns,  Aniyah McDowell, and Jadon McDowell.  1 Corinthians 15:50 says that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”  On August 29, 2016, “Mother” transitioned and our Heavenly father gently led her to glory to receive her crown. She was preceded in death by her husband Javance Collett, two daughters:  Billie Jean Wiseman and LaShanda Gale Collett, and her oldest son,  Jerry Bernard Collett.