Mary Collins Obituary
Mary Jane was born on October 24, 1939, in McGehee, Arkansas, to the late Jasper Vernon Sawyer and Margaret Hampton Sawyer.
She was a 1957 graduate of McGehee Senior High School in McGehee, Arkansas. where she cheered and played basketball. She attended Arkansas A & M in Monticello, Arkansas, where she met the love of her life, Milton Monroe Collins, Sr., and on April 27, 1958 they were married. Mary Jane enjoyed a prosperous and rewarding career in real estate as an agent and a broker. She was a member of Algood United Methodist Church in Algood, Tennessee where she was instrumental in the creation of the cradle ministry. Affectionately known as Mammaw, she loved cooking for and spending time with her family. She lovingly published a family cookbook so that generations to come could enjoy her recipes.
Mary Jane is survived by her husband of 67 years, Milton Monroe Collins, Sr.; son, Milt (Amy) Collins of Algood, Tennessee, and daughter, Leta Collins of Cookeville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Craig (Liz) Collins of White House, Tennessee, Wade Collins (Lydia Hunter) of Cookeville, Tennessee, and Bert (Beth) Collins of Carthage, Tennessee.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Jasper Vernon and Margaret Hampton Sawyer of McGehee, Arkansas; and brother, Don Sawyer, of Columbia, Missouri.
Celebration of Life for Mary Jane will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 2:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Albert Willis officiating.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Craig Collins, Wade Collins, Bert Collins, Colin McPeak, David Copeland, and Logan Copeland.
Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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800 West Jackson Street, Cookeville, TN 38501
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