Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces the death and funeral services of Mrs. Ellen Brown Collins, age 77, of Blairsville, Georgia, who went peacefully into the arms of God on April 19, 2010.

She was born Saturday, October 1, 1932, in the Choestoe District of Union County, to Henry and Collesta Thomason Brown. In 1949 she married Gene Collins and resided in Arkaquah for the entirety of their 60 year marriage. She was a homemaker and worked for several years in the garment industry. A tireless worker in her church, she served many years as a Sunday School teacher and was the church pianist for around 50 years. She was a wonderful cook and requests for her chicken and dumplings was usually at the top of everyone's list. Working beside her husband they grew and preserved vegetables every summer, teaching their children how to be self-sufficient and the value of hard work.

Her greatest passion was her family , creating in her children a desire to love and serve God, to work hard and give back to those in need from the blessings God had bestowed on them. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her life. She had cultivated and developed a strong and loving bond with each of them that will keep her spirit alive in this world.

Mrs. Collins was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Franklin Brown and Collesta Thomason Brown; her loving husband, Eugene "Gene" Collins; brothers: Elbert, Lewis, Paul, Harmon, Emory, Clayton, Barney, and Homer Brown; sister, Cleo Hooper.

She is survived by her children: Jeanette and Herman King of Toccoa, Georgia; Karen Collins of Gainesville, Georgia; Calvin and Patricia Collins, of Blairsville, Georgia; Grandchildren: Monica and Rob Mauldin, Lori and Bryan Westmoreland and Derrick and Meghan King, all of Toccoa, Georgia; Corey and Tiffany Collins and Codey Collins, all of Blairsville, Georgia; Great-grandchildren: Hampton Mauldin, Bre King and Sadie Westmoreland, all of Toccoa; Sisters: Connie Galloway, of Gastonia, North Carolina; Frankie Dunaway, Rome, Georgia; Ruby Sexton, Blairsville, Georgia; and Ethel Self, of Columbia, South Carolina; 52 nieces and nephews and numerous other relatives.

Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at 3:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home in Blairsville with Rev. Jimmy Rogers, Rev. Jerry Young, and Rev. Harley Hunter officiating. Special music will be presented by Doug Green and Steve Brown. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Rob Mauldin, Derrick King, Corey Collins, Codey Collins, Bryan Westmoreland, and Tommy Hooper. Burial will be in Old Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will meet with friends on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, from 2 until 4 pm, and 6 until 8 pm.

The family has suggested that memorial contibutions be made to Regency Hospice, P.O. Box 494, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please send condolences to the family at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.