Doris Delores Collins was born April 30, 1923, and gained her heavenly reward on July 27, 2020. She was the eldest child of four siblings born to Hattie Lee Halloway Robinson and James Robinson in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
Sister Collins professed a strong faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was baptized at an early age at Macedonia Baptist Church. Her passion for ministry and doing God’s will started early as she would be found teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, working in the youth ministry doing anything that was asked towards the upbuilding of God’s Kingdom.
Sister Collins matriculated through the school system in Okmulgee and graduated from Dunbar High School. She then attended Lincoln University in Jefferson, Missouri.
As a young professional, she worked as a secretary for one of the few black entrepreneurs in Okmulgee. She faithfully continued in God’s service at her church and the Oklahoma Congress of Christian Education. While working and serving God in Okmulgee, she met, was courted by and married the love of her life, Rev. Dr. G.L Collins in November of 1954. To this union, two daughters were born, Belinda and Janet.
In 1957, she and the Rev. Dr. G.L. Collins were called to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Serving as a role model for those of all ages, she offered encouragement in both professional and spiritual areas of life to all she encountered. Sister Collins was a gracious and impactful First Lady serving as a Senior Choir member, mission president, and a prolific speaker. She thrived on writing speeches that pricked the heart of non-believers and encouraged those who were in Christ to run the race with endurance that is set before us. Sister Collins proudly served beside her husband in this capacity for twenty-nine faithful years. After her husband was called home to the Lord, she continued to serve the Lord at Mt. Zion chairing Pastor’s anniversary, the scholarship fellowship banquet, and attended Sunday School until her health failed.
An avid sports fan, she would amaze family and friends about her knowledge of athletics. She loved her family with her entire being and enjoyed hosting them along with the mission, ministers’ wives, and friends. She adored fashion, being the First Lady, and wearing the crowns that adorned her head.
In addition to the full-time job of being a Pastor’s wife, Sister Collins was to be an involved member of the Lincoln community being employed in various capacities. She worked as a public relations specialist for the Lincoln Action Program for over ten years and was later employed by the State Parole Board. As a member of the Parole Board, she advocated and counseled many young men and women, leading them to strive for a better quality of life. She was one of two of the first women to serve on the Parole Board for the state and served for 24 years. She worked for four Nebraska Governors, among them James Exon, Charles Thorne, and Robert Kerry.
Among other organizations, Sister Collins served on numerous boards: Woman in Community Service (WIC), NAACP, YWCA, the People’s City Mission, and was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a commissioner for the Lincoln Housing Authority.
Sister Collins is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Dr. G.L. Collins. She leaves to cherish fond memories, daughters, Belinda (David Payne), Janet Collins, both of Lincoln; four grandchildren; and a sister, Leatrice Bullock; Lincoln; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a wonderful church family.
The viewing will be held at the Wyuka Funeral home on Thursday, August 6, 2020, from 1–5 pm. A private funeral service for family will be held at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, August 7, 2020.
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