Laverna Irene (Sully) Collins

Laverna Irene (Sully) Collins, 82, of El Dorado Springs, Mo, passed away on July 7, 2020, at Moore-Few Care Center in Nevada, Mo., following a year-long struggle from stroke-related issues and cancer. Irene’s daughter, Vicky, held her hand as she said goodbye to this world and hello to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Irene was born on Aug. 9, 1937, to Henry L. and Lola L. (Garrison) Sully in Leavenworth, Kan.

Survivors include her daughter, Vicky Buckles and husband, Larry, of Nevada, Mo.; granddaughter, Angela Dobbs and husband, Scott, of Stuart, Fla.; grandson, Nicholas Brandell, of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; great-granddaughter, Chelsea Brandell, of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; her former husband, Jay Collins, of Nevada, Mo.; two little ones she considered as close to her as her great-granddaughter, Harper and Olivia Highfill, of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; sister-in-law, Zelma Sully, of Kansas City, Kan.; and many other nieces, nephews, and friends.

Preceding Irene in death were her parents, Henry L. and Lola L. Sully; four siblings, Owen L. Sully, Loretta M. King, Evelyn J. Armstrong, and James B. Sully, all of Kansas City, Kan.; and son-in-law, Gary Brandell, of El Dorado Springs, Mo.

Irene married Jay Collins on June 23, 1956, in Leavenworth, Kan. They had a daughter and named her Vicky. They stayed together for 30 years, but unfortunately the marriage ended in 1986.

Irene served the Lord Jesus Christ all her life and lived a life that proved her love and devotion for her Savior. She had a sweet spirit and was always concerned about the welfare of others. She was ready with a testimony about the blessings the good Lord provided for her, and she wasn’t afraid to “preach” the truth about Hell and the need to repent and accept Jesus as your savior.She prayed and read her Bible daily and never missed a church service or prayer meeting. That’s how much she loved and trusted the Lord!

Irene worked as a young waitress at Union Station in Kansas City and for a few years at National Bellas Hess in North Kansas City before choosing to be a homemaker, wife, and mother. She used this time to train Vicky to know and respect the Lord. In later years, she began a “career” cleaning houses for other people and cleaning her church once a week.

In 2006, Irene moved to Nevada, then to El Dorado Springs, to be close to Vicky and her great-granddaughter, Chelsea. She loved her family and prayed for them constantly.

She was a member of First Assembly of God in El Dorado Springs, where she volunteered to clean the kitchen each week. No one else could clean like Irene — she never missed a nook or cranny. She took pride in doing a good job, no matter what the job was. She enjoyed doing things for others and had a humble appreciation for anyone who did something nice for her.

Irene looked forward to the day when she would see her Lord and Savior face to face. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her. As believers in Christ, we take comfort in knowing we will see her again in eternity.

Funeral services for Irene Collins were held Sunday, July 12, 2020, at 2 p.m., at the First Assembly of God Church in El Dorado Springs with Pastor Dana Taylor officiating. Interment followed at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.