In Memoriam : Laverne Collins

Laverne Graves Collins - age: 79
(April 10, 1931 to August 16, 2010 )
Resident of Farmersville, California

Visitation Information:
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 19, 2010 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at Evans Miller Guinn Chapel. Graveside Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 20, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Exeter District Cemetery.

Obituary:
Lavern went to be with her Savior on August 16, 2010 at the age of 79. She was born April 10, 1931 in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Jasper and Florence Graves. It was in Arkansas that she met and married the lobe of her life, Robert G. Collins. They marred April 7, 1951 and quickly started their family. They moved to California in 1955 and have been where ever since. It was here that they made roots and raised their five children. In 1964, Robert became Reverend Robert Collins and their life took a new path that they would follow the rest of their lives. Laverne would admit that being a pastor’s wife wasn’t always easy but stand by her man she would. Laverne will be best remembered as a woman of God. As a wife, a mother, a sister in Christ, she would be counted on to be an enormous source of strength. She could often be quoted saying ‘just keep your eyes up on Him.” She was always available to be a help in time of need, a meal, a prayer, a shoulder to cry on. Whatever it was she would be right there in the middle of making a difference. Lavern loved to play the piano and sing songs to Jesus. She played in church most Sundays and to anyone within earshot of home daily. Make no mistake, as beautiful as her music was for other to listen to, she played for her Savior!! Laverne was a member of the Church of God in Farmersville. The people she worshiped with each week have always held a special place in her heart. She would often share with her family about the love she had for her church family. Her greatest joy was her family. She and Robert shared a very special love, a very deep love that overflowed into all the lives they touched. Her children were her heart. A kind and mild woman by nature, a fierce protector of her children. A soft and tender heart, a staggeringly strong port in the storm. She lobed the Lord with an intensity that is rarely seen. This was Laverne.
Laverne is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and two sisters. She is also preceded in death, June 19, 2004 by her loving and faithful husband, Robert.
There is one surviving brother, Gene Graves of Fresno. She is survived by five children, daughters Patricia Tillery and husband Rocky, and Barbara Howard and husband Ken; sons Michael Collins and wife Susan, Terry Collins and wife Barbara and Tim Collins and wife Deca. Laverne had 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren with numerous nieces and nephews.