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© Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home
Submitted by:TD
Arreda Collins of Durant, Oklahoma passed away Monday, April 4, 2011 in Durant, Oklahoma at the age of 89 years, 5 months, 24 days. Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M. Friday, April 8, 2011 at the First Baptist Church, 2nd and Evergreen Streets, Durant, Oklahoma with Rev. James Robinson officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Ward, Alfred Wheeler, Tommy Kramer, Rick Hammel, Pat Johnson, and Jimmy Corley. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery, Durant, Oklahoma. Family hour will be from 7:00~8:00 P.M. Thursday April 7, 2011 at the funeral home.
Mrs. Collins was born Arreda Emma Hartness in Porum, Oklahoma on October 10, 1921 to Elizabeth (Evans) and George William Hartness. She was one of nine children born to a farming family. She attended high school in Porum and Warner, Oklahoma; then attended Conners State College, Warner, Oklahoma. Arreda married Fred Esley Collins on November 6, 1944 in Pryor, Oklahoma. Although her husband, Fred, was a school teacher by trade, they met while serving their country during World War II, working at the Dupont gun powder plant in Pryor, Oklahoma. This was actually her second tour assisting the war effort, as her previous job had been at Douglas Aircraft in Tulsa helping to build warplanes. After the war, Fred went back to teaching and Arreda became the model homemaker, busy raising two sons. They moved to Durant in 1963 where Fred took a position as a mathematics professor at SOSU and Arreda took care of the home. She was a member of the SOSU Faculty Dames, Gideons Auxiliary, and longtime member of First Baptist Church. After she and Fred retired, they enjoyed traveling, fishing, and bowling in the senior leagues. Arreda volunteered at the FBC Clothes Closet and the MCSO Auxiliary for many years. Her hobbies included sewing, playing cards, bowling, fishing, working cross word puzzles, and entertaining family and friends. Grandma Arreda, known as “Nana” to most, loved spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arreda is survived by her brother Carl Hartness of Harlingen, Texas; sons Jerry Ronald Collins and wife Barbara of Sherman, Texas and John Collins of Mead, Oklahoma; stepdaughter Margie McAnally and husband Lee of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; nephew Michael Ward and wife Cynthia of Roland, Oklahoma; niece Gaye Jackson and husband James of Carrollton, Texas; niece Shirley Ward and husband James of Desoto, Texas; granddaughters Catherine McClellan and husband Aaron of Sherman, Texas, Jennifer Sharp and husband Brad of Tyler, Texas, Paige Gamble and husband John of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Valta Collins of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandsons Derek Collins of Norman, Oklahoma, Kevin McAnally and wife Kathy of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Stephen Collins and Brian Collins, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Arreda was also blessed with seventeen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fred; her parents, George William and Elizabeth Hartness; brothers, G.W. and Kenneth Hartness; sisters, Elva, Valera, Estelle, Betty Jo, and Billie; and stepson, Gordon (Butch) Collins.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, more familiar to most people by its sector called the Lottie Moon mission fund. Donations may also be made to the local Durant chapter of the Gideons International. The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the Kings Daughters and Sons Nursing Center and staff for their loving care and compassion.
Funeral services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma. To convey condolences or sign the online registry, please visit www.holmescoffeymurray.com.
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