Priscilla Janie Annette (Brearton) Collins

Priscilla Janie Annette (Brearton) Collins of Mansfield, Georgia passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 30, 2023. Priscilla was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota on November 1, 1923. She had a kind and gentle spirit, clever wit, and a sweet, lovely smile which touched everyone’s heart. Our family recently had the joy of four generations coming together to celebrate Priscilla’s 100th birthday, surrounding our treasured mother, grandmother and great-grandmother with love and happiness. The youngest child of Fred and Rosena Brearton of Morrison, Illinois, Priscilla graduated from Central High School in Albert Lea, Minnesota in 1942. During World War II, she worked as a secretary for the Department of the Navy in Alaska, where she met a young Navy pilot, 1st Lt. Howard Day Collins, Jr. They were married in Baltimore, Maryland on January 3, 1946. Priscilla was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church and loved singing in the choir at the Church of the Resurrection in Joppatowne, Maryland. After moving to Georgia in 2016, she became a member of Grace Pointe Community Church in Dacula. She was also a lifelong member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Fort San Nicholas Chapter in Jacksonville, Florida. She was a long-time patron of the St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Priscilla loved gardening and spent many years involved with Garden Clubs in Ormond Beach, Florida and Joppatowne, Maryland. During her time in Maryland, she was a member of the Joppatowne High School Cafeteria staff from 1975 through 1985. After moving to Jackson, Tennessee in 1987, she enjoyed volunteering for more than ten years at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital gift shop. Priscilla was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Fred and Rosena, her two brothers, Frank and John, and her husband of 53 years, Howard Collins. Survivors include two daughters, Sandi Noye of Jackson, TN and Colleen (Edward) Dabney of Mansfield, GA; one son, John (Leesa) Collins of Hickory, NC; eight grandchildren: Michael (Lisa) Noye of Waco, TX; Susan Noye of Jackson, TN; Elaine (Ben) Watkins of Boise, ID; Rebecca (Kenny) Koehler of Lakeland, FL; Madeline (Matt) Olson of Littleton, CO; Elizabeth (Luke) Smith of Mansfield, GA; John (Miriam) Collins of Mobile, AL; and Kris Collins of Mobile, AL; twelve great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many extended family members in California and Illinois. Priscilla dearly loved supporting animal care and rescue missions. She was a long-time patron of the St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. In lieu of flowers, please kindly make donations to Arizona Humane Society at azhumane.org or St. Joseph’s Indian School at give.stjo.com. Memorial services and interment are being planned for a future date at Arlington National Cemetery.

Priscilla Janie Annette (Brearton) Collins

November 1, 1923 - November 30, 2023