Vernetta Bell Collins, 86

A memorial service for Vernetta Bell Collins, 86, of West Plains, was held Nov. 4, 2023, at West 160 Church of Christ in West Plains.

Mrs. Collins died at 7:45 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, at West Vue Nursing Center.  

She was born Sept. 18, 1937, at Elijah, to Arvil and Jewell Tackitt.  On March 28, 1963, she was married at Elijah, to Loren Donald Collins who preceded her in death on March 3, 2014.  

She was baptized into the Church of Christ at a young age and remained faithful her entire life.  

Vernetta worked at Simplicity Shirt Factory in Mountain Home, Arkansas, when she first married and then at the International Shoe Factory in West Plains for 13 years. The remainder of the time she was a homemaker. Vernetta loved children and cared for many over the years; they all adored her. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, embroidery, quilting, fishing, berry picking, watching wildlife and many other activities.

She is survived by four children: Julia Patton, Craig Collins and wife Georgia, all of West Plains, Donnie Collins and wife Amy and Glen Collins, all of Kansas City, Kansas; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Hollis Tackitt and Mark Tackitt; one sister, Carol Richardson; one brother-in-law, John Collins; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, husband, two sons: Bryan Collins and a stillborn son in 1965, sister Francie Hardin, three sisters-in-law: Bonnie Tackitt, Alice Collins and Nancy Tackitt, son-in-law Kenneth Patton and several nieces and nephews, preceded her in death.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Elijah Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, Mo. 65775.