Mrs. Ella Mae Collins

Mrs. Ella Mae Davis Collins of New York, N.Y., died Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007.

Her funeral services were Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 11 a.m. at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church Bethel in New York, N.Y. with Pastor Belin officiating.

Interment was in Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, N.Y.

Ella Mae Davis was the eldest child of the late Willie Davis and Willie Mae Davis.

She was born on April 24, 1924 in Waynesboro, Ga.

Upon completing her education in Waynesboro she moved to Brenton, N.J., She later settled in Harlem, N.Y,, where she met the love of her life, Lawrence Collins. They were married Oct. 25, 1947. Ella and Lawrence had a very special loving partnership and were looking forward to this year celebrating their 60th anniversary.

Ella initially worked in the garment district, then went to work for Amtrak Railroad. She retired in 1985 as a supervisor after 43 years of service.

She has been a faithful member of the Bethel AME Church located at 60 West 132nd St. for more than 60 years. She was also an upstanding member of the Order of Eastern Star, as well as a passionate team member of 150th-155th St. Edgecombe Avenue Block Association.

Mama Ella was a mother to many and will surely be missed. Whenever you need someone to talk to Ella was always available. Her passing has pierced us with grief too painful for words or human comfort, but we are thankful to God for the time we shared with her.

Ella Mae had four brothers who preceded her. Peter Hodge Jr., Willie Oliver Davis, Owen Davis and Marion Davis.

Ella Mae always regarded family and friends first after her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for she knew that good times were to follow and that is what she cherished most.

She leaves to mourn a devoted husband, Lawrence Collins, of Harlem, N.Y.; a goddaughter, Gail Huggins of Stroudsburg, Pa.,; nieces and nephews, David Hodge of Waynesboro, Ga., Herman Evans of Queens, N.Y., Isaiah Hodge of Waynesboro, Inez Hodge of Waynesboro and Kira Dent of Far Rockaway, N.Y.; Aunt Josephine Nash of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; a sister, Dorothy Miller of Augusta, Ga.; a brother, Isaiah Hodge Sr. of Waynesboro; a brother-in-law, Robert Collins of Oakland, Calif.; sister-in-law and brother-inlaw, Alice and June Satchell of Eastville, Va.; and many nephews, nieces and a host of relatives and friends.

Isaiah Owens Funeral Service, 216 Lenox Ave., New York, N.Y, was in charge of Mrs. Collins' services.