Carolyn Sue Collins

Carolyn Sue Kelley Collins, 78, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, September 26, 2020 due to a massive brain hemorrhage. She was born August 17, 1942 to Harold and Emma (Showers) Kelley. Carolyn, a Beech Grove High School graduate, was the widow of Robert Collins, who passed away August 3, 2019. They were married for 56 years. She was a sharp-dressed gal who loved to shop, especially with nieces Gail and Bre and granddaughter Brenna. She had tons of friends, many from high school. She became a Facebook queen once she figured it all out and it was her saving grace during COVID-19. She had a great love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved when they came to visit. Her newest great-grandson Aiden was born April 27 and she loved holding and loving on him. She was a huge IU and Colts fan and loved watching and texting with her son Sean and spending time with family and friends. She had many favorite shows, Young and Restless, Blue Bloods, Jeopardy, just to name a few. Her favorite newspaper was The Southsider Voice, owned and published by her daughter, Kelly. She loved sharing it with neighbors and friends and talking about it wherever she went. Carolyn never met a stranger and loved going to games of her grandkids and great-grandson and soon became friends with all of those families too. She loved traveling and her favorite places were Hawaii, Florida, California, Georgia and New York. Her favorite cruise was to Alaska. Her and her husband were VIP members at Beef and Boards, and they loved going to the movies and taking numerous train trips. She bowled on leagues, was in euchre and bridge clubs and went to Bible studies in her younger years. She worked at Indiana Bell, then was a housewife many years and later worked at the Glass Shoppe in the old Target mall and later for Sunrise Designs before retiring. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Joe Kelley, and son-in-law Brett Sawyers. She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Collins Sawyers; son, Sean (Tammy) Collins; grandchildren, Austin (Kayla) Smith, Alex (Maria) Smith, Nathan and Brenna Collins; great-grandchildren, AJ, Andie and Aiden Smith; three step-grandchildren, Morgan, Ali and Ryan; three step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Becky (Steve) Kelshaw, Bobby Miller, David Miller, Alan (Tina) Miller and Steve (Melissa) Miller. She was Aunt Carolyn to many, many, many nieces and nephews. Special to her heart: Brother-in-laws Don (Janet), Glen (Nancy) Collins; former daughter-in-law Lisa Collins (mother of Nathan and Brenna); special nephew Keith (Gail) Collins and Bre; special niece Jasmine (Jeff) Wilson; special nephews Jared and Jacob Miller; “adopted” family, longtime neighbors Perry, Linda and Kyle Knezevich; dear friend Maureen VanDeman who was her daily chat friend since losing their husbands; and the “driveway ladies”, a group of Carolyn’s neighbors that met each night and kept an eye on her. Little and Sons Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Marion County, a celebration of life will be held in Johnson County, Sunday, October 4, 2020, from 2-4 p.m. with a memorial service at 4 p.m. at the Vineyard Community Church, 512 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Franciscan Hospice House, 8414 Franciscan Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46237. Her husband Robert was there and she was a great supporter of their foundation.