Callie Harris Collins

Callie Harris Collins Callie Harris Collins, 91, of 723 13th Street, Franklin, died at 5:42 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at UPMC Northwest Medical Center, Seneca. Born July 9, 1918, in Franklin, she was the daughter of the late Elmore and Mary E. Kaigler Harris. She was married to William J. Collins, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Collins was retired from Polk Center, where she had worked as a Resident Staff Aide for many years. Mrs. Collins was a member of St. John's Baptist Church in Meadville and she attended the Erie Street Church of God in Franklin; She had served as a board member of the Franklin Community Center, the Local NAACP, the Negro Improvement League and was also on the board at the Office of Economic Opportunity. She was an accomplished piano player and accompanied many local gospel singers. In 1989, Mrs. Collins also received an honorable mention in the World of Poetry Competition, headquartered in Sacrament, CA, for her entry titled, "Those Ferocious Coat Hangers". She is survived by her daughters, Ermagene Graves of Franklin, and Patricia Carney and her husband, Clifton, of Bethel, North Carolina; and her sons, Theodore (T.C.) Collins and Richard (Rocky) Collins, both of Franklin. She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren, LaVonne Clark and her husband, George, of Narberth, PA, Valerie Martin, Edward Martin, Richard (Buzzy) Collins, all of Franklin, Charmane Brown and her husband, Arthur, of Bethel, North Carolina, Sharon Carney of Charlotte, North Carolina, Dubre (Toa) Harris and his wife, Shana, of South Georgia, Greg Hoover and his wife, Silvia, and Kim Hoover, all of Arizona; and her 17 great-grandchildren, Christopher and Robyn Clark of Narberth, PA, Ashley and Mark Carney Brown and Devin Carney of North Carolina, Hannah Hoover, Jacob Hoover, and Abram Hoover of Arizona, Brianna Cassit of Columbus, Georgia, Isaiah Harris, Camryn Harris and Elijah Harris, all of South Georgia, Dajeer Harris of Oil City, and Markisha Harris, Julianna Harris, and Zaivion Harris, all of Meadville, and Madison Harris of Warren, PA. Mrs. Collins is also survived by her brothers, Elmore (Cootie) Harris of Meadville and Richard Harris of Franklin; and her sisters, Pearl Harris, Rose Moses and Bernadeen Holmes, all of Newark, New Jersey, and Margaret Harris of Franklin; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins; and grandchildren, Lavar and Shante Johnston. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Collins was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert Harris, Hezekiah Harris, Joseph Harris and James Harris; and her sisters, Clara Henderson, Lucille Tucker and Marion Tanner; and an infant daughter, Cynthia Collins Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Gardinier Funeral Home Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Funeral Home with the Rev. Lora Adams-King, pastor of the Erie Street Church of God, presiding. Interment will be in the Franklin Cemetery. The family suggest that memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com