Mary Iola Collins

Mary was born in Comanche County on May 12, 1925. She grew up in Big Spring, Texas with her parents Nora Beatrice McKinnerney Price and James Thomas Patrick Price.

She attended Big Spring schools and graduated in 1943. Her first job was with W.F. Woolworth 5 & 10 store, then as central for Southwestern Bell. When the family moved to Mason, she worked for United Telephone Company. With her father's health failing, the family moved to San Angelo, Texas where she worked for the San Angelo Telephone Company.

In 1949, she married Ruben Delbert Spruell, who came with his three year old daughter, Gloria (pet name Tabby).

Deb and Mary had a boy, Arnold ray, and a daughter, Wanda Delene. Mary worked for the San Angelo Telephone Company until General took over.

Mary helped in the Parent Teacher's Association while her children were in elementary school, then as a den mother when her son went into Cub Scouts.

When her daughter became a Brownie, Mary became a Girl Scout leader. She spent 15 years in scouting, serving in various capacities and taking two Girl Scout troops through to senior scouting. She won the Thanks badge, the highest award for a Girl Scout leader at that time, and the Lou Henry Hoover Award for her camp work.

She became a docent at Fort Concho museum and sewed costumes for the participants. This sparked an interest in history and she became a member of the Tom Green county Historical league in 1977.

She is a charter member of the San Angelo Amateur Astronomy Club and life member.

In 1970, her son passed on and also his father in 1988. At the time, she was working for Bob Creel plumbing and taking art lessons at Angelo State University.

Mary was a member of the national Association of Retired Federal Employees as her husband had been a postal employee. She was a charter member of AARP, San Angelo chapter, and past member of the Sierra Club. She also worked as an election judge for the Republican party.

Mary loved gardening and won prizes for her plants and flowers. She was president of the Senisa Garden Club and of the Texas District Garden Club. She is a life member of the Texas District Garden Club.

Mary was a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and worked in all phases of church life. She loved singing in the choir and was a deaconess when in 1991 she married Donald Jackson Collins, Sr.

She became a member of the San Angelo Art Club in 1989 and continued with her lessons. She painted portraits as well as animals, still life flowers, and scenery. She painted her final landscape when she was 83 years old.

Preceding her in death are her parents; a son and his father; three brothers, Navy Chief James hennery and wife Jeanie, Airman First Class Johnny ray, and navy Chief Russell Dail; two nephews Thomas Owen and Johnny Lawrence.

She is survived by her daughter Wanda Delene Morrissette; granddaughter Kristi Yvonne Browning and great-grandson Ian; granddaughter Cynthia Monique Walker and husband Brian with three great-grandsons Kristian, Sebastian, and Elijah; daughter Gloria Clark and husband Don with grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law Treva Price; three nieces (Patricia Lynn price moore, Loretta Nichols, and Arlene Lipe); one nephew, Del-Ray Price; and cousins, all children of Walter McKinnerney.

The Funeral Service will be 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at Community Hills Church with Rev. Vance McIntosh officiating. Interment will follow at Fairmount Cemetery.

Family and friends may sign an online register book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.