Eva Roberta Collins

SHREVEPORT, LA - Funeral services for Eva Middleton Collins, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Marshall Street Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Charles McInturf, pastor of Woodridge Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park, Haughton, LA., officiating will be Rev. Charles McInturf and Rev. Jerry Hodge, of University Church of Christ. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday, June 27, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Collins was born on May 8, 1920, in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana to Ada and Bob Middleton. She was a retired schoolteacher receiving her education at Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, LA. She taught at Christ the King School in Bossier City, LA for over 25 years. Following retirement she was assistant manager at LSU Medical School bookstore, where she encouraged the medical students in pursuing their careers. Mrs. Collins was a dedicated teacher and was always very happy when one of her students came to visit or did well in their life's endeavors. Some of her students still visited her frequently and commented on the difference she made in their lives. She loved her family and was a constant source of encouragement, faith, and a blessing to each. She was an inspiration to her family when at age 78 she moved to Mandeville, LA to take care of her 4-year old great-grandson, Lucas, when his mother was killed in a tragic auto accident. Mrs. Collins was affectionately known to her family as "GiGi", a name given her by her by her 4-year old great-grandson while she was caring for him. Her husband, Master Sgt. Irving Collins, USAF Ret., three sisters, and three brothers preceded Mrs. Collins in death. Her loving granddaughter Lisa Ward Bernard also preceded her in death. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Robert Collins and wife, Mary Virgilene; her daughter, Sissy Cockerham and husband, Wayne; sister, Mary Jo Hahn of Deridder, LA; sister-in-law, Zelda Middleton of Robeline, LA; her grandson, John Robert Ward and wife, Kristen; great-granddaughter, Makinsey and great-grandson, Cooper, all of the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Her grandson Michael Bernard and wife, Kiley, great-grandsons, Lucas, Andre`, and Beau of Mandeville, LA, also survive her as well as many dearly loved nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Scott Bicknell, Dr. Robert Hernandez, and the administration and nursing staff of Heritage Manor Stratmore, Willis-Knighton Pierremont 8^th floor nursing staff, Mr. Sammy SanAngelo of Audibel, and LifePath Hospice for their kindness and professional care. Special thanks are also extended to friends Mrs. Teresa Papadimitriou and husband, Dimitri, the Miller Family, Marilyn Fleming, and Mrs. Collins' Ruth Sunday School Class from Woodridge Baptist Church for their continued visits and loving support. Honoring Mrs. Collins as pallbearers are John Robert Ward, Michael Bernard, Dr. Bert Coco, Rod Middleton, Lucas Bernard, Dennis Salley, Marcus Middleton and Dr. Buck Atkins. Honorary pallbearers are George Brandon, Maurice Oubre, Roy Bush Bridges, Cody Nelson, Larry Westfall, and Donnie Laney. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Woodridge Baptist Church, 850 E. Bert Kouns Ind. Loop, Shreveport, LA 71106 or the charity of donor's choice.