Carolyn D Collins

Carolyn Diana Collins passed away quietly on September 1, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas at 81 years of age. She lived her life and left on her own terms, all the while serving the Lord faithfully. Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband Joseph Collins Sr. of 43 years and will be buried beside him in South Austin. She was also preceded by Alice Collins; Felicia Collins-Harris; Zachary Collins; and her parents John Sr. and Lillian Pitts; her brother John Pitts Jr; her in-laws Johnny and Mary Johnson; and a host of others.

Carolyn leaves behind a legion of family members who are mourning her passing including the children she and Joseph Sr. shared: Mary Collins of Stafford, Virginia; Joseph Collins Jr. of Pflugerville, Texas; David Collins and his wife Kathy of Pflugerville, Texas; and Mark and his wife Theresa of San Antonio, Texas. Carolyn is also survived by her grandchildren Angel Miralda of Houston, Texas; Garrett Collins of Austin and his wife Jocelyn; Jordan Collins of Grand Prairie, TX and his fiancee Lisa; Lucas Collins of San Antonio; step-grandchildren James and his wife Jamie; Kevin and his wife Jang; Tre; Lasharn; John; Saniya; and Sean; and nephew John Pitts III of Killeen and his wife Valerie; Cousin Sandra Riley of Omaha and many others.

Carolyn grew up in Omaha, Nebraska with parents John and Lillian, and brother John. She and her extended family were faithful members of Cleaves Temple (Colored Methodist Episcopal). Her grandfather Arthur Allen (married to Jennie Allen) was a founding deacon of the church in 1921. She attended Central High School and leaves behind a host of relatives, friends and school mates in Omaha, Oklahoma and Texas. She married Joseph Collins Sr. in Cleaves Temple while he was stationed in the Air Force at Offutt AFB. Carolyn later attended Nursing School while he was overseas on assignment. During their Air Force career, Joseph and Carolyn became parents to Joseph Jr. at Offutt AFB (Omaha, Nebraska); David at McChord AFB (Tacoma, Washington); and Mark at Keesler AFB (Biloxi, Mississippi). Later in her healthcare career, she would study at Concordia Lutheran College in Austin to become an X-Ray Technician. She went on to become the first African American to work for and retire from Austin Radiological Association (ARA). After her retirement, Carolyn enjoyed being a grandmother, working with the Seniors Group at David Chapel and on occasion leading Bible Study.

A viewing for Carolyn will take place on September 8, 2022 at Cook Walden/Forest Oaks in South Austin. Funeral services will be held at David Chapel (2211 East Martin Luther King, Austin, Texas) on Friday, September 9, 2022 at David Chapel with Internment at Cook Walden in South Austin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (Breast Cancer) (www.komen.org ); or No Kid Hungry (www.nokidhungry.org). Carolyn is a breast cancer survivor and was an active giver to both of these organizations.