Oleta Claretta Younts Collins
Miller-Oleta Claretta Younts was born Sept. 30, 1912, in Lawrence County, Mo., and departed this life Oct. 6, 2001, in Cox Medical Cemetery South in Springfield, Mo., at the age of 89 years and 6 days.
She was converted at an early age and became a member of Sycamore Baptist Church near her home. In later years, she joined Round Grove Baptist Church and attended as long as her health permitted.
She married Ira Collins on July 6, 1935, in Mount Vernon. One child, Arlene, was born unto this union.
Oleta was a wonderful cook and spent several years working as a cook in a rest home and at Miller High School where she greatly enjoyed spending time with the school kids. Her hobbies included working in her vegetable and flower gardens, sewing and crocheting. She took particular pride in her handmade quilts and made a quilt for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved having company and listening to the St. Louis Cardinals and Lady Bears on the radio. She enjoyed her home and neighbors. She had to special companions, her dog, Bounce, and her cat, Miss Kitty.
She is survived by her daughter, Arlene Marsh and a son-in-law, Frankie; grandchildren, Elaine McElroy and husband, David, Brent Marsh, Elisa Hawkins and husband, Mike; great-grandchildren, Josh, Whitney, Justin and wife, Paula Marsh, and son Brent, Kristen and Kelsey Hawkins, Kylene, Jeremy and wife, Quin McElroy; and great-great-granddaughter, Jazmin McElroy.
Her husband, Ira Collins and her great-grandson Cody Hawkins preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 9 in Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home chapel with the Revs. Bob Holman and Mike Hawkins officiating. Burial will be in Sycamore Cemetery, northeast of Miller.