Mary Collins

The Governor of South Carolina advises to limit public gatherings to 50 guests or less to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC carefully considered this recommendation and ask that additional guest please participate via live-streaming if it is authorized by the family.

A Private Graveside Service for Mrs. Mary Cooper Collins will be conducted 2:00 PM Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Florence National Cemetery, 803 East National Cemetery Road, Florence, South Carolina. Interment will follow, directed by Smith Funeral Home of Florence, LLC.

Mrs. Mary Cooper Collins was born July 11, 1929 in Florence, South Carolina. Mary was the ninth of ten children born to the late James and Mattie Gregg Cooper. She died on Tuesday, December 14, 2020.

Mary was educated in the Florence Public School System and was a member of the Wilson High School Class of 1946. After graduation, she moved to Connecticut. There, she worked for the State of Connecticut as a Psychiatric Aide at Connecticut Valley Hospital, where she remained until 1989. After retirement, she and her husband moved back to Florence.

On July 7, 1957, she married her sweetheart Luther Collins, and remained married for over 50 years until his passing in 2013. Two children were born from their union, Luther Donald Collins and Theresa Louise Collins.

Mary remained faithful to her God and served him wherever she lived. Mary joined Cross Street African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Middletown, Connecticut. While there, she sung in the Senior Choir, and served in the Women’s Home and Overseas Mission. When Mary moved back to Florence, South Carolina, she returned to Saint Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, her family church where she was a Senior Choir member until her “Retirement” in 2012. Mary also took part in the Willing Workers and Senior Club Ministries. Mary was also a member of The Order of the Eastern Star Florence Chapter #65 PHA.

Mary was predeceased by her parents; husband; four brothers, James, John, Lester and Walter (Thomas) Cooper; and four sisters, Mazie Cooper, Mildred Cooper Rainey, Louise Cooper James and Ora Lee Cooper Simpson.

Left to cherish her memories are: her children, Luther Donald Collins and his wife, Pam of Simsbury, Connecticut and Theresa Louise Collins of Middletown, Connecticut; beloved fur child, Jax; two granddaughters, Hillary Collins of Derry, New Hampshire and Leah Collins of Essex, Connecticut; one great granddaughter, Chavonne Collins of Enfield, New Hampshire; one sister, Mattie Cooper Robinson of Florence, South Carolina; one sister-in-law, Delores B. Cooper of Florence, South Carolina; two goddaughters, May Tyson of Hartford, Connecticut and Raquel Holley Woodard of Tamarac, Florida; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Public viewing will be from 3 PM to 6 PM, January 4th, 2021 at J.O and Annette Smith Memorial Chapel.

Please keep the family of Mary Cooper Collins in your thoughts and prayers.