Elizabeth Collings

Elizabeth B. Collings YORKTOWN - On Aug. 13, 2008, a great loss was suffered as Elizabeth (Bette) Louise Brugmann Collings was called to return to her creator in heaven. She courageously fought to recover from a stroke suffered on Mothers Day, May 9, 2004. Born in Rutland, Vt., June 8, 1924, she followed her husband throughout his Air Force career and retired to Virginia Beach, July 12, 1966. Her last few years were spent in Yorktown, where her family fought to help her remain comfortable. While her husband was away defending our way of life during the Berlin Airlift, Korea, and Vietnam, she raised a wonderfully loving family. As a medical technologist, she sought to comfort all whom she came in contact with. While at McGuire AFB, Bette volunteered for Family Services to help comfort and meet the needs of other families who were separated from their loved ones as well. On Thanksgivings, she was quick to welcome other servicemen, who couldn't be with their families, into her home to celebrate with hers. For more than 20 years, she volunteered for Contact, a crisis help line, both manning the telephone and ultimately serving as director in the Southside Region. Not only did Bette love her fellow man, she loved all of God's creatures, taking in stray or abused pets. Coming from a long line of artists, she loved to paint. Bette's passion could have been seen locally at the Boardwalk Art Show, which she dearly loved to attend. Bette was preceded in death by her parents, Sarita Anne Pattison and William H. Brugmann; a beloved sister, Margarite (Peggy) Brugmann Wright; a brother, Wallace James (Jim) Brugmann; and a grandson, Shaun Woodfin. Bette is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, retired Lt. Col. Buford Edward Collings Jr. She is also survived by her brother, William Brugmann. Her three sons and one daughter all have wonderful families; Paul and Rory Collings of Fort Kent, Maine; Brian and Judy Collings of Richmond, Va.; Gregory and Marjorie Collings of Richmond; and Sarita and Robert Howell of Yorktown; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. As we mourn this terrible loss, we pray for the strength to celebrate her life and the faith to know that God needed this angel in heaven more than on earth. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. The family wishes that memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23508-5216, or to the American Stroke Association National Center, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231.