Eva Marie Collins

Eva Marie Greninger was born on May 19, 1931, in Jasper County, Carthage, Missouri to Albert H. Greninger and Luzenia Greninger. She was the youngest of 3 surviving children. She attended school in Carthage, graduating from High School in 1948.
On June 8, 1951, she and James Norman Taylor were wed in Carthage. To this marriage, they had 3 children; Nancy, Linda, and Wayne. This marriage ended after 28 years.
On October 13, 1990, Eva married Paul E Collins, whom she met while working at Associated Electric Co-operative. At the time of this union, she gained 3 bonus kids from Paul's previous marriage Sherry, Susan, and Stephen.
Both Eva and Paul retired in 1994 and began traveling and enjoying their time together fishing and meeting new friends while camping. Paul "introduced" her to his love of sports and they both were beloved fans of the Lady Bears and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Eva was known for her ability to make some of the best desserts around and decorated cakes for many family members and friends over the years. Everyone loved her vegetable and flower gardens and many people can probably show you a "start" that she shared with them.
Her dedication to her family and religious beliefs were evident in her everyday life through her kind spirited demeanor and the love that outpoured to everyone she came in contact with. Paul preceded her in death in 2011. After a short illness, she joined him on December 10, 2022, at 91 years of age.
She was also preceded in death by her parents "Dick" and Luzenia Greninger, her sister Lucile Gilliam, her brother Albert "Junior" Greninger, daughter, Susan Maddox and a host of other family members. She is survived by her other children – Nancy West and husband, Jim of Joplin; Linda Collins and husband, Chuck of Springfield; Wayne Taylor and wife, Sherry of Willard; Stephen Collins of Marshfield; Sherry Bell and husband Roger of Broken Arrow, OK; Jim Maddox of Ash Grove.
The following is a list of her Grandchildren – Virginia West; Jacob and Cathy West; Greg and Katie Collins; Amber Sholes; David and Kourtney Bell; Sarah and Tim Stout
Great Grandchildren – Faith West; Hope Degonia; Trenton Degonia; Braeden Sholes; Lily Sholes and Great-great Grandchild – Eva West as well as many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, great-great-great nieces and nephews as well as other extended family members and friends.
Visitation will be Sunday, December 18, 2022 from 5 pm to 7 pm at:
Greenlawn North Funeral Home
3506 North National
Springfield
Services will be conducted the following day, December 19th at 1 pm, also at Greenlawn North Funeral Home.
Her final resting place will be at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Aldridge, MO.
Even though she had a passion for flowers, her love for people and the connection with friends in the Ebenezer community, she requested any memorial donations be made to the Ebenezer Methodist Church food pantry in lieu of flowers.
Ebenezer Methodist Church
c/o Judy Spencer (Food Pantry)
1795 W FR 56
Springfield, MO 65803