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Bettie Collins Obituary
February 14, 1942 April 27, 2022
Bettie Jo Ozanich Collins, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away April 27, 2022 after a long illness.
Bettie Jo was born February 14, 1942 to Joseph Frank Ozanich and Betty Jane Wright in Mineola, Texas.
She was born while her parents were traveling with an oil exploration team through Texas and Oklahoma. Other family members nixed her original name and instead insisted on a combination of the names of her parents, Betty and Joe. Bettie Jo attended Bakersfield High School, class of 1960, Bakersfield College and graduated from Fresno State University.
She married Denman Collins on July 16, 1966 after meeting him on a blind date while he was on leave from the army. Not long after they were married, they were both severely injured in horrific head on auto crash on Dec. 23, 1967 on 24th Street at Elm. The only reason their daughter survived was because Denman alerted the paramedics that Bettie Jo, who was unconscious, had told him days earlier she thought she might be pregnant.
Bettie Jo was on the original faculty of West High School when it opened in 1965 and over the years taught English and P.E. and also served as the girls' tennis and softball coach. She coached the school's 1977 South Yosemite League girls softball championship team.
She had a profound impact on countless lives as a teacher at West. She loved to travel and regularly hosted parties and reunions for friends and family. She was a generous, kind, patient person and very supportive of her children and grandchildren in all their endeavors.
She is survived by her husband, Denman, of Bakersfield; daughter, Amy, her husband, Martin Langfield, and his son, Christopher, all of New York City; son, Don, and his son, Jack, and Jack's mother, Allison Tivnon, all of Beaverton, Oregon.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Gwendolyn Ozanich Hill Gerth.
An informal celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022 from noon to 3pm at The Greens at Seven Oaks Club House, 2209 Snowdrop Drive at the White Oak Drive entrance off Old River Road. Please contact the family in advance for the gate code.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Critters Without Litters or your favorite animal organization.
www.bakersfield.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bettie Collins
4 Entries
Gary L Hoetker
May 8, 2022
Dear Denman and Family:
My sincere condolences. I know you'll always remember Bettie Jo for the love she gave and received making your time on earth with her special. May she rest in peace !!
Frank Hoetker
May 6, 2022
Dear Denman and family,
My sincerest sympathy for you, Denman, and your family on the passing of your beloved Bettie Jo. Friendships run deep, and I have very fond memories of times together. May Bettie Jo rest in eternal Heavenly Peace!
Holly Yule-Davisson
May 4, 2022
Mrs. Collins was my English teacher @ West my Freshman & Sophomore year and I was her T.A. my Senior year in 1997. She was one of my favorite teachers. I was able to get to know her better when I was her T.A. and found out she graduated with my Dad @ BHS. My condolences to the family at this time of sorrow.
Holly Yule- Davisson
West High c/o 1997
Rachel Legan
May 3, 2022
Mrs. Collins was my English teacher when I started West High in 88-89. At the end of my freshman year, she gave an extra credit writing assignment allowing the class to share anything they had written with her. I gave her a bunch of poems. I was surprised and honored when she took the time to write a note back to me! It meant so much that I have kept it all of these years and have attached it here. Mrs. Collins epitomized what I believed a teacher should be. She had an impact on my life and I have thought of her often. Losing someone is life-changing, I just want you all (her family) to know that she changed lives for the better with her time here. Your wife, mom, and grandmother was significant and special to so many. Thank you for sharing her with us.
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