Mrs. Rita Elizabeth Payne Collins, age 65, of Mount Airy, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 13, 2010. Mrs. Collins was born in Surry County on November 9, 1944 to the late William and Evelyn Willard Payne. Mrs. Collins worked in Sales Management until retiring. She was a long time member of Bottom Road Tabernacle in Mt Airy. She will be remembered for her love of painting, poetry, her special love for all children, but mostly for her love of the Lord and his beautiful world. Mrs. Collins was preceded in death parents, one brother, William Haywood “Billy” Payne and former husband, Ralph Collins, Jr.
Mrs. Collins is survived by two sons, Darrell and Steve Collins both of Mt. Airy; nine grandchildren, Matthew and Abby Collins, Jeremiah, and Aaron Collins, Stacy, Kaci and Dean Bowman, Ashley Tilley and Kaila English; three sisters, Carol Coalson of Mt Airy, Kay (Steve) Montgomery of New Caney, TX and Mary Cox of Mt Airy; numerous nieces and nephews; very special friends, Amy and April Thomas, Creasy Chappell and her beloved Boo Kitty; her and our special friend, Dennis Chaney and many other who were blessed to be touched through her life. A Memorial Service with be held on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at Bottom Road Tabernacle Church at 2:00 PM with Rev. Kelly Haynes. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Cox-Needham Funeral Home of Pilot Mountain is assisting the Collins family.