Vicky Rollins Collins

Longview, TX – Vicky Gene Rollins Collins, died August 13, 2009, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, but moved to Longview when she was only 2 months old after her father left the active service and began working at Texas Eastman. She has been married to Robert "Bob" Collins for 29 years. Bob is retired from LeTourneau, Inc. where he worked for 26 years. Vicky attended Hallsville and Longview Schools, graduating from Longview High School in 1970. When she was a junior in high school, she won first place in the Longview Home Builders Home-Planning Home-Buying Seminar. Judges from the homebuilders association selected the best entry and a local builder built the house and sold it, she was the over-all winner. While at LHS, she was a member of the Famous Lobo Band, Camp Fire Girls, JETS, and Art Club. After graduation from Longview High School, she attended Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, and graduated in 1974 with a BS degree in Advertising Design and a minor in Government/History and was selected to be in Who's Who in Colleges and Universities. She served as President of Social Activities under the Student Government Association, Delta Phi Delta officer and member, Yell Leader, Art Club member, Daughters of Alumnae member, member of the President's Cabinet, Redbud Princess and during her Junior and Senior years at TWU was on the Honor Roll. She is a Life Member of the Texas Woman's University National Alumnae Association. After graduating from college she worked with the Crowley Publishing Company of Longview doing layout and art work for a weekly newspaper and printing company, but left after a year and began working for Texas Eastman Division, Eastman Chemical Company, for 25 years. She was the Senior Creative Services Specialist of the TEX Learning Services Department. While at Texas Eastman, she was on many company wide committees, clubs and company sponsored groups: president of the TERC Board of Governors; secretary of the TERC Dance Club; TEX Recycle Team; Ozone Action Team; Annual Stock Holder's Meeting displays; 25/40 Year Recognition Programs; 50-Year Anniversary Celebration Team – designed the 50-Year Celebration Calendar; Apprentice Dinners; TEX Pipeline Maps; United Way; 8th Grade Presentations; GLOBE; Texas Scholars Program; Display boards for KTPB Radio; and much more. After restructuring at Texas Eastman, she worked for several companies until she decided to follow her mother into the education field. She enrolled in the Region VII Education Service Center Teacher Preparation and Certification Program in 2002 for the generic special education program. However, she was never able to complete the program with her diagnosis of cancer and became a full time helper to her mother, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Throughout Vicky's life she followed the inspiration of her parents, who raised her on, "you can do anything, be anything once you set your mind to do it!" and their community service and volunteer activities. Vicky has been a former member of the American Business Women's Association, Golden Light Chapter and a charter member of the Leornian Chapter; served as president, vice president, Woman of the Year, and chairman of a variety of different committees while in both chapters. Since 1983, she had been an active member of the Zonta Club of Longview, where she served as Chairman of the 15th Annual Antiques Show and Sale in 1989. In 1992, she began volunteer work with the Longview Federated Clubs, Inc., where she served as President Elect, President for two years, and Treasurer for two years, with her greatest time spent finalizing the dedication of a Texas Historical marker for the Longview Community Center in 1995. She has been a member of the Longview Woman's Forum, East Texas Knife and Fork Club serving as a member of the board of directors, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President, and President several times. Since 1994, Vicky has been a volunteer for the Gregg County Historical Museum's Dalton Days, Longview's Alley Fest, and KPTB's Kidfest in Kilgore. In 1993, Vicky's volunteerism turned toward the Longview Museum of Fine Arts. In 1995, she became a member of the board of directors, was publicity chairman for two years, treasurer for one year, receiving 1998-99 Volunteer of the Year Award from the director and Friends of the Museum, and served as President of the board of two terms. She managed the annual fundraiser twice for the museum, generating contributions exceeding $15, 000 with only $3, 000 in expenditures the first year. Vicky has worked with the First Baptist Church's Special Friends program, teaching Sunday School to adults, ranging from 18 to 60 years old, with all types of disabilities. She found this to be one of the most rewarding programs she had worked with and Vicky once stated, "I like being involved. You feel like you're a part of the community. . . I feel like I am giving something back to the community." It should be noted that her love for the community was only usurped by her love of animals, as she adopted over 50 dogs over her lifetime. Besides being involved with local community activities, Vicky had been involved with the Longview Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, in several roles including Secretary. She was involved with many of the banquets that were held to raise money for scholarships and other programs supporting the youth of East Texas. It was only through the support of her family and specially her husband, Bob, that she was able to achieve so much for the community, as you usually did not only get Vicky, but Bob to support her in all of her activities. She will be missed as a wife, mother, daughter, and sister. As a 50 plus year member of First Baptist Church of Longview, she is no longer in pain and is rejoicing in Heaven with her many loved ones that welcomed her there. Vicky was preceded in death by her mother Dr. Mavis A. Rollins and nephew Jay Rollins. Surviving are her husband, Bob Collins; father, Vicheal G. Rollins; brother, Jim Bob Rollins and wife, Donna, of Lufkin; daughter Linda and husband, Chris, of Hawkins, with their children Kirsten, Jacob, Kelsey, and Kristina; step-son Jimmy and wife Dawn, of Center, with their children Ashley and Autumn and grandson Jayson; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and special wifey Ruth Locke. Honorary pallbearers are David and Linda Brian and First Baptist Church's Special Friends. The family will receive friends at Rader Funeral Home, Friday, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Service will be held Saturday, 4:00 p.m., at Rader Funeral Home. Those desiring to do so may make contributions to First Baptist Church of Longview Special Friends fund, the Longview Museum of Fine Arts, or charity of your choosing.

Vicky Rollins Collins

June 27, 1952 - August 13, 2009