Birth Date: 12/15/1931
Deceased Date: 06/02/2024
Jean Edwards Collins, 92, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 2, 2024, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, North Carolina after a long and full life. Jean’s life began on December 15, 1931, in Franklin County, North Carolina; born to John Russell and Jodie Cheaves Edwards. Growing up in Louisburg, alongside her brother Carlton Edwards, she met her Husband of 44 years, J. Clinton Collins. Jean is predeceased by her parents, her brother, her husband and daughter-in-law, Donna Sellers Collins.
Jean and Clinton found their home in Smithfield, North Carolina, where they were founding members of Sharon Baptist Church, in West Smithfield, and active participants throughout the life of the church. This is also where they started their family and businesses.
Jean was a talented interior designer for many years, working with Richard Black Interiors in Raleigh, North Carolina, and later working independently as Jean Collins Interiors, ISID. She has left a lasting impression on many homes and businesses in Johnston County, as well as the lives of her clients, whom she always counted as friends.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Melinda C. Stevens and her husband Alan, and her son, Les Collins and his fiancé Susan Donnelly. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Callie Collins Rhyne, (Patrick); Clint Collins, (Jackie); Philip Stevens, (Jen); and three great grandchildren Gates Rhyne, Zachary Stevens, and Meredith Stevens. She will be remembered by her family as a loving and ever-curious matriarch, who found joy in the details of the lives of those she loved.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Jean’s home, 572 Turnage Road, Smithfield, North Carolina. Jean will be laid to rest at a graveside memorial and commitment service following visitation, at 2:30 p.m. at Selma Memorial Gardens, Selma, N. C.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Brinda J. Pearce and her husband Joe for their love and daily assistance with managing Jean’s declining health over the past several years. This journey would have been so much more difficult for both Jean and her family without their guiding hands and assistance. The family would also like to thank those talented and loving ladies who were Jean’s constant companions and caregivers for the past few years. They gave not only their talent but also their love and compassion.
Lastly, the family would like to thank the State Employees Credit Union Hospice House and each and every member of their staff for their professional expertise, their unflagging support, and their genuine kindness to Jean in her last days. In lieu of flowers, the family would kindly ask that those wishing to honor Jean consider donation SECU Hospice House of Smithfield.
