Thelma Lee Collins

Thelma Lee Gillespie Collins, 80, of 101 Wilkie Way, Fletcher, passed away Sunday, October 1, 2006 at Park Ridge Hospital. Mrs. Collins was born in Buncombe Co., and was a daughter of the late Grady Henry and Carrie Frisbee Gillespie. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Derrell Collins, who died in 2001. Mrs. Collins retired from the Panama Canal Co., and was an avid bingo player. She was of the Baptist faith. Surviving are three sons; Bob Collins and wife Marsha, of Florida and Pennsylvania, Ron Collins and wife Betty, of Candler, and Gary Collins and wife Connie, of Fair Oaks, CA; one sister, Margaret Gillespie Williams Anderson, of Asheville; nephew, Terry Williams and Wanda, of Asheville; four grandchildren, Michael, Brandy, George, and Heather, and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 3:00 p.m. Thursday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Ronnie Owen officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. Her family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.