Ruth Ellen Bond Collins

BYRD FUNERAL HOME ON WEST MAIN

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Date: Nov 29 2015 5:59 PM

Ruth Ellen Bond Collins

Ruth Ellen Bond Collins was born May 15, 1923, in Houston County, Alabama and lived there for most of her life.  On June 20, 1942, Ruth married the love of her life, Noble Lamont Collins Sr. (Swift) in a small ceremony in Dothan, Alabama.  In 1950, Ruth and Swift were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Ruth served as a full time minister for many years and throughout her life worked shoulder to shoulder with her husband helping over 40 others to learn Bible truths.  Ruth was an active Witness in the Dothan West Congregation for several decades.

Ruth and Swift built the home they raised their family in and were known for their generous spirit and hospitality.  Ruth was the center of her family, raising 4 children and helping to raise her 15 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.  Her family loved to be in Ruth’s kitchen for a breakfast of grits, gravy, eggs, bacon and biscuits and the kids loved her ‘kid’s coffee’.  There was always enough for everyone in Ruth’s kitchen.

Ruth’s hospitality was so well known that her home was known as the ‘hotel’ because no one was ever turned away.  She was a thrifty homemaker but generous with her gifts to others.  She was a comfort to all that were going through troubles and sickness.  Ruth never saw the bad in her family or others, always seeing the best.  Her favorite scripture was 3 John 4 “No greater joy do I have than this: that I should hear that my children go on walking in the truth.” This was her hope for all of her family.

Ruth and Swift were happily married for over 60 years when her loving husband preceded her in death December 1, 2001. 

In 2009, Ruth moved to Port Charlotte, Florida, with her loving daughter Brenda so they were closer to her children, Janet, Judy and Monty.  Ruth spent time with her children in Ocala and her extended spiritual family in the Ocala Forest Congregation.  She was an active publisher in the King’s Highway congregation of Port Charlotte until her death.

All who knew Ruth will never forget her outgoing personality and positive outlook.  She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and never wavered in her faith in Jehovah and His promise of life everlasting in Paradise.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Otho and Willie Bond; her husband of 60 years, Swift Collins; her brothers Otis Bond Jr., Ted Bond, Earnest (Short) Bond and John Bond and her grandson Justin Collins.

She is survived by her children: Brenda Hanners, Judy Stevens and her husband Terry, Janet Mahan and her husband Michael, Monty Collins and his wife Julia;

Grandchildren: Sheila Silvera, Chuck Hanners and Michelle, Donna Sanchez and Felix, Jay Hubbard, Jon Hubbard, Juleah Hanners, Bert Hanners and Jackie, Misty Lazenby and Mark, Chris Hanners, Judah Hubbard, Brandon Brown and Amber, Terry Stevens Jr. and Alice, Brittany Wilson and Valentine, Jared Collins and Lisa, Alex Collins.

Great-grandchildren:  Brandy Messiah and Clyde, Candice Edmondson, Matt Gresham, Trey Edmondson, Brooke Knight, Jasmine Goins, Shelbi Hanners, Shelton Barksdale, Trent Hanners, Trevor Hanners, Joshua Lazenby, Treb Hanners, Michael Lazenby, Sierra Barksdale, Will Hanners, Marleigh Lenzey, Mason Hanners, Madison Hanners, Jade Hubbard, Jewell Hubbard, Saniya Wilson, Nevaeh Hubbard, Taylor Barksdale, Lily Lenzey, Xoe Brown, Nina Stevens, Georgiana Wilson, Xaria Brown.

Great-great-grandchildren: Madyson Johnson, Hayden Sweatt, Taylor Lett, Piper Sweatt, Aly Denard, Noel Denard

Survived by: a sister, Merl Jacobs, a brother, Robert Bond and his wife Ann; sisters in law, Mary and Margie Bond, 18 nieces and nephews, a lifelong friend, Hellon Dawkins and countless friends.

A memorial service was held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 1261 Rutledge St. North Port, FL 34288 at 2 P.M. Thursday on November 26, 2015.

 

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