Betty Lou Collins

The world has lost but Heaven has gained a precious soul. Betty Lou Collins has joined her husband and other family members who've gone on to be with her Savior, this past Sunday, February 5, 2012. She was 82 years old. We know she is in a better place but, her passing is deeply mourned by those who knew her and loved her as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife and friend. Betty was born on October 3, 1929 in Sullivan, Sullivan County, Indiana, where she was raised and grew up until she met a certain young man, Mr. Earl Collins, while working in Sullivan. They were married in 1947 and moved to Prescott, Arizona. Two years later, she gave birth to the first of her four beautiful daughters, Kimberley, who was later followed by Margee, Sandi and Kelly. They moved to Tucson and briefly moved back to Indiana but, Arizona had become their home so, in 1962, they moved to the White Mountains. Betty and Earl opened a local business, starting with an auto parts store, which later expanded into sporting goods and television sales and repairs. This led them to being awarded a Radio Shack franchise; becoming the first Radio Shack dealer in northeastern Arizona. They later opened a small electronics store in Lakeside. Betty was blessed during her life as she lived in beautiful Lakeside; raising her family and forming friendships that, literally, lasted for decades. She will be lovingly remembered, for many years to come, by those whom were privileged to know and love her. Betty Lou Collins was a woman of integrity, of unbending moral beliefs, but also a woman of great kindness. Anybody who knew her will remember her talent for making them immediately feel at ease and welcome in her home. The memory of her soft words, her gentle manner, and her warm smile will be a comfort to those who will be mourning her passing in the days and years to come. Her legacy is one of Christian service and always following the commandment to "love thy neighbor", but most importantly, the legacy she leaves behind is that of genuine love. Betty is survived by: her only remaining sister, Millie; her children: Margee, Sandi, Kelly; 13 grandchildren: Joseph, David, Timothy, Christian, Sherri, Michael, Jeremiah, Melissa, Jon, Rusty, Cory, Blu and Michael Nelson; and 43 great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her daughter, Kimberley, who departed before her and, undoubtedly, joined her dad to welcome Betty home this past Sunday morning. Betty's funeral service will begin 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the White Mountain Bible Church, 3171 Show Low Lake Road in Show Low, Arizona. The concluding service and interment will be held privately, with her family surrounding her gravesite at the Lakeside Cemetery.