Karen Collins

Karen Collins, 63, of Hixson, TN, went home to be with her Savior on Saturday, February 27, 2016. A lifelong resident of the Chattanooga area, she was Co-Founder along with her husband Mike of MCA where she served as Vice President and Secretary/ Treasurer. A longtime member of Abba’s House, she loved Jesus. Karen had a 42 year passionate love affair with her high school sweetheart, Mike. Although her occupation was with MCA, her number one priority and love was her children and grandchildren. Karen was a passionate and nationally accomplished ballroom dancer who let her husband “THINK” he was leading on the dance floor. Karen also was co-founder along with her husband of a nonprofit organization called Unteal There is a Cure that has as its mission “Providing hope through ovarian cancer research”. Seemingly everywhere she went, Karen formed enduring bonds with strangers who, because of her grace and tenderness, became lifelong friends.

Survivors include her loving husband of 42 years, Mike Collins; two daughters, Jennifer Collins Palmer (Jonathan) of Atlanta, Georgia and Ashley Collins Spinelli (Nick) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Thomas and Patrick Spinelli and Nora Palmer; sister, Luann Culbreth, Nashville, Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Carter.

A celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Abba’s House with Dr. Ron Phillips officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 from 3 PM to 8 PM at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home and on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 from 12 Noon until 2 PM at Abba’s House. Interment will be in Chattanooga Memorial Park.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Unteal There is a Cure, 6048 Century Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416; www.UntealThereisaCure.org Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tennessee 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at: www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com