Ella Mae Collins

Ella Mae Collins was born on November 19, 1937 in Butler, Georgia to the late Effie and Harrison Turner. She had seven (7) siblings of which she was the youngest and only girl. After an extended illness and at the age of 87 years old, the angels came and ushered her to her new home with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, October 20, 2025.

Ella grew up in Americus, Georgia and graduated from Staley High School where she played basketball. She remained in Americus until she married Sammie Collins, Senior and relocated to Tallahassee, Florida. Through their union, they were blessed with five (5) children. She exhibited extreme care in being attentive to her family and serving the most delicious meals a family could ever desire! She was a gifted cook and had that special touch that was impossible to recreate.

Ella worked at Centel Phone Company and provided twenty-eight (28) years of dedicated service to the company until she retired in April 2002 from the 222 Frame Office. She was an active member of Mount Zion Primitive Baptist Church and served as an usher, sang in the choir and held the position as Treasurer. Ella’s favorite scriptures were Psalm 23 and Psalm 91. In addition to her church obligations, Ella was involved in the community where she was a member of the Masonic Heroine of Jerrico Prince Hall.

Ella was a kind-hearted, caring and sweet-spirited person. She enjoyed watching sports, going to football games and loved the Marching 100. She always enjoyed her family, going to church, visiting Open Houses and traveling. In 2011, Ella relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. She joined the ‘Ladies Nite Out’ organization by volunteering her time serving the Atlanta community with food drives and other initiatives. She was under watch care of First Baptist Church and attended church on a regular basis until she became ill in 2015. In addition, Ella continued her love for shopping, going to casinos, traveling with friends and family, and spending time with family especially during the holiday seasons.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, seven (7) brothers, son Sammie Lee Collins, Jr. and grandson Tyreese Lamar Pompey. Left to thank God for the life and safeguarding of Ella Collins are four children: two daughters – Alfreda Collins and Sandra Collins of Tallahassee, Florida, and two sons – Xavier Collins (Felicia) of Atlanta, Georgia and Vernon Collins of Tampa, Florida. Five Granddaughters – DeSaussure Robinson, Shawanna White, Saprecia Jefferson (Will), Brianna Collins and Xenia Collins; one grandson – Xavier Collins, II; ten (10) great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.