Collins

Vera Mae Johnson Collins, 90, of Kenedy, died Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. She was the mother of Harry (Barbara) Collins of Port Aransas.

Collins was born on Dec. 12, 1919, to James Alexander “Zack” and Bessie Cade Johnson, on the old Johnson Ranch in Bee Cave.

She married Harry H. Collins on June 20, 1942. Harry served in the U.S. Army during World War II and Collins traveled alongside him to each station. After the war, they made their home in San Antonio, where they raised two children.

During her nursing career she was employed by three doctors prior to the 42 years she worked for Dr. O. A. Rinn of San Antonio.

Collins’ love of adventure led her to obtain her pilot’s license in 1967, at the age of 46. She then joined the Civil Air Patrol and earned the rank of lieutenant, serving 31 years.

In 1974, she received top honors when she was awarded the Principia Chapter American Business Women of the Year award.

She retired at the age of 79 and moved to Kenedy in 1998, where she joined her daughter and family. There she joined the First United Methodist Church of Kenedy, where she made many friends.

Collins is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Jeanelle Clark and Willie Herwig; her former husband, Harry H. Collins and grandson Barett McDonald.

Survivors in addition to her son and daughter-inlaw are her daughter Carolyn (Linley) McDonald of Kenedy; her son Harry James (Barbara) Collins of Port Aransas; grandchildren Brett (Janet) McDonald of Pawnee, Harry James (Heather) Collins Jr. of Port Aransas, Angela Collins of Corpus Christi and Michelle (the late Barrett) McDonald of Cibolo; stepgrandchildren Raymond (Sherry) Boullt of Waxahachie, Linley McDonald Jr. of Comanche and Kathy Hale of Giddings; great-grandchildren Caitlin McDonald of San Antonio, Tyler McDonald and Jacey McDonald of Cibolo; Harry James Collins III and Hanna Jo Collins, both of Port Aransas; step-great-grandchildren Courtney Robertson and Casey Boullt, both of Fort Worth, Liam McDonald and Connor McDonald, both of Comanche; Corey Hale of Killeen, Kristyn Hale, Kortlynn Lovings and Camryn Lovings, all of Giddings; brother-in-law Tom Collins of San Antonio, sister-in-law Joanne Collins of Fredericksburg and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and her friend and companion of more than 50 years Dr. O. A. Rinn of San Antonio.

Services were held Sunday, Jan. 31, in Kenedy.

Memorials may be made to either the American Heart Association or American Breast Cancer Foundation.