Marilynn Collins

After several months of declining health, on February 13, 2024, Marilynn Collins of Alvord, Texas, was gathered to her ancestors and passed from this world. She was 87 years old. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Texas, with interment to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Decatur, Texas. Visitation will be held 5-7 pm Monday, February 19, 2024, at the funeral home. Minister Mark Taylor will officiate. 

Pallbearers will include Stewart Broadbent, Ronnie Collins, Gabriel Hunter, Dr. Charles Majka, Caleb Wood, and Zack Wood; honorary pallbearers Ronnie Choate, Ronnie Corbell, Ronnie Hess, Bob Hussey, Don Majka, H.L. Ross, and Eric Vincent. 

Marilynn (all in one name as she so often corrected people) was born January 19, 1937, in Cooper, Texas. She was the daughter of Robert Maurice and Millie Lou (Foster) Vaughn and a member of the Church of Christ. On December 29, 1963, she married F.M. “Pat” Collins in Chico, Texas. 

Marilynn was a Home Economics teacher at Bridgeport High School for 21 years. She would often share with great pride that she never missed a single day being with her students during that time. She was always willing to help her students at night, on weekends, and during summers, whether it be FHA, Young Homemakers, Wise County Youth Fair, Make It With Wool Contest, Summer Homemaking, or any other activity or competition. During this time, she also served as a state officer in the Vocational Home Economics Association of Texas and on the Public School Textbook Committee of Texas. After retiring from teaching full-time, Marilynn spent several years teaching “Home Bound” students for the Wise County Education Coop. When not teaching, Marilynn devoted her time volunteering for her church and a variety of community organizations. She participated in Ladies Bible Class and was an elected officer in the Wise County Retired Teachers Association, the Wise County Quilt Guild, and the Wise County Extension Club, where she helped organize the Greenwood Fall Festival, and was often asked to judge many 4-H craft and food contests. During the wintertime, she and Pat could often be found traveling in the Texas Valley. In the last months of her life, she continued to make “Crib” quilts, which were donated to local charities. 

Marilynn is survived by her two sons Kevin Wood and wife Marcia of Alvord, Texas, and Barry Wood and wife June of Bridgeport, Texas; two sisters-in-law Viola Beggs and Lorna Vaughn; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Marilynn is preceded in death by her parents; husband Pat; and brother Ralph Vaughn.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Wise Area Relief Mission, Mission Printing of Fort Worth, Bridgeport Church of Christ, or the Bridgeport ISD Educational Foundation. 

© (Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home)

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