Shirley Marie Collins

Shirley Marie (Burda) Collins, 89, of Yorktown, our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away on Wednesday, May 16, 2024. She was born in Houston, Texas, on July 20, 1934, to the late Ladislaus John Burda and Thelma Louise McIntosh Burda. She later moved to Yorktown with her family.

She graduated from Holy Cross Catholic School and Yorktown High School, where she was a cheerleader. She then graduated from Victoria College where she was Captain of the Saberette Drill Team and the Victoria College's Western Days sweetheart. After college she moved to Port Lavaca with her husband, Jim Collins, where they raised their three children: Erin, Cindy and Chris. When Shirley moved back to Yorktown in the mid-1980's, she worked for the Department of Human Services while running her "22 Ranch" in Karnes County.

She became an active member of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, eventually serving as President. She was Co-Chairman of the Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1998. She was a member of the Yorktown Preparedness Committee which evolved into the Economic Development Corporation. She also served as President of the Yorktown Community Hall for 12 years and a past officer of Yorktown Hermann Sons Lodge. In 2019, she was voted "Citizen of the Year" and was Parade Marshal for that year's Yorktown Western Days. She belongs to Holy Cross Catholic Church where she served as cantor for many years and a member of Catholic Daughters of America. She loved this community and served it well.

Survivors include three children, Erin Gorka (David) of Yorktown, Cindy Snowball of Speedway, Indiana and Chris Collins (Brenda) of Port Lavaca. Five grandchildren, Kristin Parker (Kevin), Kody Korthauer and Korey Korthauer (Alli). Jimmy Collins (Rachel) and Brandi Tinnon (Dean). Also survived by three step grandchildren, Jennifer Yackel (Ronnie), Kristin Gorka (Dustin Richard) and Matthew Gorka. Great-grandchildren, Kash, Keaton and Kooper Parker, Kolt Korthauer, Luke and Levi Tinnon and Ava, Elle and Crew Collins. Great-step grandchildren Garrett Yackel and Millie Richard. Brother James P. Burda (Bertha), sister Elizabeth (Betty) Burda and her special nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death was her parents, brother (Ladis Burda) and sister-in-law (Judith Burda) and son-in-law, Allan Snowball.

Visitation will be 4-6pm Wednesday, May 22, followed by the rosary at 6pm. Funeral mass service will begin at 10 am Thursday, May 23, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Yorktown. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Church Catholic Cemetery with a reception to follow at the Yorktown Community Hall.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Collins, Kody Korthauer, Korey Korthauer, Dean Tinnon, Kevin Parker and Kash Parker.

Memorials may be given to Holy Cross Catholic Church, Polish Heritage Center P. O. Box 25 Panna Maria, TX 78144 or donor's choice.

You are invited to sign the online guest book at www.masseyfh.com

Arrangements by Massey Funeral Home, Yorktown, Texas 361-564-2900.