Jerry L. Collins

Jerry Kunkel Parsons Collins, age 69, passed away on Friday, September 5, 2014 after a valiant battle with CLL / SLL Leukemia. Jerry was born in White Oak, Texas on October 7, 1944 to Arbert and Frances Kunkel. She was an active member of the White Oak High School Band, where she had the opportunity to visit many areas of the U.S., including New York City. She remained in the East Texas area for the duration of her life, where she had a rewarded career with McCoy"s Building Supply and Lowe"s. Jerry was particularly fond of her working family at McCoy"s. Jerry is survived by her husband, Haywood Collins, son Ronnie and wife Stephanie, son Michael and wife Andrea, daughter Jennifer and husband Ricky, stepdaughter Lesley and husband Glenn, stepson Woody and wife Andrea, sister Jo, brother John (Pete), sister Martha, and a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jerry is preceded in death by her late husband Rayford Earl Parsons. She was an avid gardener, knitter, and wonderful cook. Jerry won three blue ribbons at the 2013 Gilmer Jamboree Arts and Crafts Show for canning and crafts. She enjoyed collecting antique furniture, kitchen accessories, and glassware. She loved admiring the flower gardens from her chair on the front and back porches, dressing up in saloon style clothing for special events, chasing garage sales, and playing the drums and singing in several different country bands and church events. Jerry was a wonderful, compassionate, caring, and loving mother, grandmother, and wife. She always put the needs of others ahead of herself. She enriched the lives of all of those she came in contact with. A celebration of Jerry"s life will be held at Latch Missionary Baptist Church, 1050 Box Oak Rd., Gilmer, Texas, on Saturday, September 13, 2014. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. with services starting at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society (https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate). Cremation under the direction of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer Condolences may be left at www.croleyfh.net