Ellen Elizabeth “Beth” Collins passed away peacefully on the morning of July 26, 2026, in Sunnyvale, Texas. She was born December 10, 1953, in Lufkin, Texas, to Joseph L. “Joe” and Rosamary (Green) Willmon. Beth is preceded in death by her mother, Rosamary, and her sister, Lesa, who passed in 2017.
At approximately age 4, Beth’s father went to work for Texas DPS, and they moved to Pasadena, Texas. While there, Beth’s sister, Lesa, was born. The family relocated to Orange, Texas, where Beth attended Lorena Oaks Elementary School. In the middle of 3rd grade Christmas break, the family moved once more to Woodville, Texas, where she finished her education. In high school, Beth was active in VICA, the Pep Squad, and was a spirited cheerleader. She graduated in 1972 from Kirby High School. During this time, Beth entered and won the Miss Tyler County Pageant and participated in the Miss Texas (Miss America) State Pageant. For a brief time, Beth moved back to Lufkin for work before returning to Woodville in early 1974.
While out with friends one evening, she was a passenger in a car that was pulled over by Woodville PD’s Garry Collins. The two felt an instant connection, and shortly after they met, they began dating. The two were inseparable and were married on Beth’s 21st birthday that same year. They were married for over 51 years until her passing.
Together, they had two children: Garry Kent Collins II and Erin Brooke Collins. She had promised Garry six children but stopped at two after saying they were getting bigger.
With Garry becoming a Game Warden for Texas Parks and Wildlife, he and the family moved to La Porte, Texas, where he was stationed. With the children attending La Porte ISD, Beth volunteered within the school system. She enjoyed being around children and soon found herself with a permanent position as a teacher’s aide. Her passion led her to be promoted to secretary/attendance clerk and finally to substitute coordinator in the personnel office.
After being promoted to Game Warden Captain in the Dallas area, Garry and the family settled in Forney, Texas. Beth found a new career path with the Department of Public Safety as a Driver License Clerk before transferring to the MVI Division, and then finally as an administrative technician for the Narcotics Division, which was later named the Criminal Investigation Division, until her retirement in August of 2012.
Beth enjoyed retired life, spending her days fishing and always letting Garry know he never took her enough! She also enjoyed cooking and was an excellent dessert maker. She and Garry cherished their gardens and would can many of their fruitful harvests, with her specialties being pickles and jellies.
Family was important to Beth, and spending time with her father was a fond memory. Together, they attended Bethel Baptist Church in New Chapel Hill. A woman of faith and love, Beth will be missed immensely by all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband, Garry Collins; children: Kent and wife, Camilla, and Erin, all of Forney; father, Joe, of New Chapel Hill; grandchildren: Brianna of Forney, McKenna and partner, Nathan, of Forney, Peyton and partner, Walter, of Royse City, and Caleb of Forney. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Ellie, Lawson, and Camilla.
The family wishes to acknowledge the caregivers at Long Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care in Sunnyvale and the hospice staff with Vitas.
Services for Beth will be held at 12:00 p.m., Monday, August 3, 2026, at the Max Slayton Funeral Chapel in Terrell, Texas, with Reverend Mike Ford officiating the service. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.
A Committal Service for Beth was held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Romayor Cemetery in Romayor, Texas, with Reverend Bob Beasley officiating the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Beth’s honor to the Romayor Cemetery Association to PO Box 366 Romayor, Texas 77368 or the Alzheimer’s Foundation at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate?form=FUNDHYMMBXU.
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