Ellen "Betty" Collins

Fletcher, Ellen “Betty” Halvorsen Collins, 95, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at The Landings of Mills River.

Betty was a native of Edmore, Michigan but spent the last several years in Fletcher. She was the wife of the late Orla L. Collins, her beloved husband of 64 years, and daughter of the late Hartwig J. and Beatrice Murphy Halvorsen.  Betty was a woman of high expectations but anchored in the love of Christ.  For many of her working years, Betty served as a teacher at Captain Gilmer Christian School.  Following her time as a teacher, Betty served as the librarian at the Fletcher Academy and secretary at the Fletcher Seventh-day Adventist Church.  Betty was a Pathfinder leader, and highly involved with SDA youth programs.  Both Orla and Betty were the first rangers at NOSOCA Pines Ranch. The two oversaw the building and construction of the youth camp for the Carolina Conference.  On the Sabbath day, Betty enjoyed teaching the primary and cradle role classes for many years.  She also played the piano, organ and sang in the choir.  Betty also had an adventurous side.  When she and Orla were in Hawaii for a year, the two of them hiked all over the islands.  Betty was happiest outdoors.  She loved flowers and gardening and spending time on the water with her family.  When she needed a respite from the outdoors, she was also an avid reader.

Betty is survived by two daughters, Sue Johnson, and her husband, David, of Hendersonville and Dixie Sommerville, and her husband, Don, of Candler; two sons, Van Collins, and his wife, Marisol, of Monterey, Tennessee, Gary Collins, and his wife, Cindy, of Morristown, Tennessee; ten grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at the Upward Seventh-day Adventist Church with Pastor Jorge Baute officiating. The family will receive friends following the service of remembrance at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Adventist World Radio,12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, 3 Angels Broadcasting Network, 3ABN, PO Box 220, West Frankfort, Illinois 62896, or ADRA 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Springs, MD 20904.

The care of Ms. Collins has been entrusted to Forest Lawn Funeral Home and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.forestlawnfuneral.com