Mrs. Laverne Whitaker Collins, age 84, of Bainbridge died Thursday, March 4, 2009.

Funeral services were held Sunday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m. at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Dr. Danny Shepard and Pastor Stanley Phillips officiating. Interment followed at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Todd and Chad Dean, Heath and Brandon Boyett, Bruce Henderson and Frank Stimpson.

Mrs. Collins was born in Baker County, the daughter of the now late Ernest and Maude Whitaker. She later married Bloise Collins, who passed away in 1996. She was a kitchen supervisor for the Bainbridge State Hospital where she retired after 25 years and was a greeter for Kmart. Mrs. Collins was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters Rudean (Otis) Dean, Rita (Jerry) Boyett, Bainbridge; one son Jimmy (Patsy) Collins, Albany; 10 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, Don Collins, and one sister, Guy Henry, and one brother, Garnie Whitaker.

Cox Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.