Ollie Mae Burris Collins, 85, was born on Sept. 21, 1929, to the late Eunice Brumfield and Oliver Burris in Mt. Hermon. She stepped into the hands of her Master on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, in New Orleans.

After moving to Bogalusa, she united with the Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. E. D. Burns. Ollie graduated from Central Memorial High School in 1950 and relocated to Chicago, where she attended Cook County Nursing School. She was employed with Cook County Hospital for 30 years as a neo-natal nurse.

She was united in Holy Matrimony to the late James Collins.  She united with the Monumental Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. D. E. King. Under his leadership, she served as a faithful member of the choir and birthday club until she relocated to New Orleans in 2007. She loved to cook for family, friends and neighbors. Everyone loved her homemade apple pie, pound cake and gumbo.

Sister Collins leaves to cherish her memories: one loving and devoted daughter, Debra Jackson DeCuir (Brian) of New Orleans; two sons, Anthony Collins and Tavius Collins (Phyliss) of Chicago; eight grandchildren, Dr. Keith B. Cowart of New Orleans, Kendell Christmas, Curtis Christmas, and Karla Christmas (Nathaniel), Walter Christmas and Warren Christmas, all of Chicago, and Dinah and Dianna DeCuir of New Orleans; 14 great-grandchildren; seven cousins, Irma Dean Singleton and Elizabeth Anders of Franklinton, Marie Brock of Bogalusa, and Irma Singleton, Louise Singleton, Oscar Singleton, Earline Singleton, all of New Orleans; devoted travel buddies, Mary Page, Bessie Davis and Barbara Wade of Chicago; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Sister Collins was preceded in death by her husband, James Collins; her mother, Eunice Brumfield; and her father, Oliver Burris.

Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 25, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Greater Tulane Baptist Church, located at 214 N. Johnson St., in New Orleans. The wake service will be from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The funeral service will be Saturday, Sept. 26, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. Atwood Luter officiating.  Interment will be in the Bogalusa Cemetery.

Visit and sign the registry online at cookrichmondfuneralhome.com.