Linda Beth Collins

Mrs. Linda Beth Collins, age 81, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2019. Linda was born in Storm Lake, Iowa on July 26, 1937 to the late Edwin and Hazel (Hyde) Crowley. Linda was a member of Locust Grove United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School for children and adults.  She was a teacher by profession and spent most of her long career teaching third-graders at Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia.   

In 2012 the home she loved burned down and in 2013 she lost her dear husband, Joe Collins, after an extended illness.  They were married 56 years. She and Joe raised three daughters and helped raise their much-loved grandchildren and great-grands.  

With amazing faith and resilience, Linda relocated to Brasstown Manor in Hiawassee, Georgia in June of 2013.  In spite of her own loss and grief, she soon endeared herself to the Brasstown family. She took the job of front desk receptionist on Sundays, where she became acquainted with and loved on many residents and their families. She took joy in reading aloud to a group of eager listeners in the afternoon, just like she did with her third-graders years ago.  

Linda was a lifelong learner.  She was an attentive student at a Bible Study held at the Manor every week.  She studied with zeal anything that interested her on any given day. Her favorite pastimes included painting flowers, crocheting afghans, reading mystery novels and watching old movies.  

A wonderful writer and a keen observer, she posted on Facebook occasional essays she called “Manor Musings” where she gave expression to the stories of the people who lived at Brasstown and other thoughtful topics.  Her delightful sense of humour usually made an appearance in these popular posts.  

Linda leaves behind three daughters, Laura (Wayne) Fowler, Lisa (John) Babb, and Leslie Lively; sister Kay Osen; grandchildren Donovan Babb, Brandi Crosby, Chris Lively, Daniel Fowler, Ashley Woody, Kayla Cochran, and Joseph Fowler; great-grandchildren Alexandria Woody, Alyssa Woody, A’mya Woody, Hadley Lively, Lucy Crosby, Adalynn Lively, Josiah Cochran, Max Babb, and the very newest, Arianna Woody, born July 9; niece Debbie Lintner and nephew Chris Osen.  

Memorial services will be held at Banister Funeral Home August 3, 2019 at 2pm with Rob Chassner officiating. A memorial service will also be held on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Brasstown Manor with Wayne Fowler officiating. 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, if you wish, make a donation to any cause related to children and learning, such as the memorial fund set up in her name at Locust Grove United Methodist Church.  Checks should be made out to Locust Grove UMC with “In Memory of Linda Collins” in the memo line. Mail to P.O. Box 277, Locust Grove, GA, 30248. Donations may also be made to Woodward Academy either online or by mail. Online donations may be made at woodward.edu/giving  or a check can be mailed to 1662 Rugby Avenue, College Park, GA 30337. Please indicate in the memo line Linda Collins Memorial. 

Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee, GA is in charge of the arrangements.