Gladys Wilhene Collins

Gladys Wilhene Jefferson-Taylor Collins lived a life centered on family, faith, compassionate care, and service to her community. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she found her greatest joy in her children and grandchildren. They were her world, and her life revolved around their love and well-being.

Born on December 6, 1941, Gladys was the daughter of Professor Theodore Jefferson and Gladys Taylor Booker. She was raised by her Aunt Jessie and C. D. James.

Early Life and Faith

Gladys attended Lincoln Grade School in Holden and completed her final years at Richmond High School. Graduating with the class of 1959.

At the age of fourteen, Gladys accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and joined Second Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend A. J. Clayton.

Marriage and Family

Gladys married Jesse T. Collins, Jr., and together they were the parents of six children: Ronald J. Collins, April D. Collins, Yvette R. Collins-Odell, Erin Jesse Collins, Aimee Charlene Collins, and Jessica G. Collins-Kamuru.

As a homemaker and mother, Gladys placed her family at the heart of her life. That devotion continued as her family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gladys was the oldest of eight children on her mother's side. Her siblings were Joyce E. Pearson, Charlene Cason, Betty Booker, LeRoy A. Booker, Richard A. Booker, Sheila L. Hurt, and Micah Booker. She was the youngest child of her father, and her paternal siblings included Billy Byrd Jefferson, Theo Margaret Williams, Dorothy Jean Stewart, and Jeanne Jefferson.

A Career of Compassionate Care

Gladys attended the Jenny Lund School of Nursing in Kansas City and devoted many years to caring for others. During her twenty-seven years at Shirkey Leisure Acres, she served in several capacities, including nursing assistant, phlebotomist, medication technician, audiologist's assistant, podiatry assistant, and supervisor of nursing aides. She also attended Tarkio College to prepare for work as a pharmacy technician.

After leaving the nursing department, Gladys was appointed Director of Social Services, a position she held for ten years. Her concern tor residents inspired practical action. When the nursing home faced concerns about resident injuries, she designed and created protective wheelchair covers for residents who needed them. In 1993, she was honored as Director of the Year.

Service to Her Community

Gladys served Ray County in many capacities throughout her life. She was a member of the Ray County Housing Authority Board for eight years and worked at the Ray County Jail for five years as a jailer and medication technician. She also provided private-duty, in-home care and worked for two years as an office assistant with the Chamber of Commerce.

Her service included the Ray County Senior Services Board and five years of work at the Ray County Senior Center before she was laid off because of the pandemic. In 2022, she was hired through MRP as an office clerk at the Ray County Senior Center, continuing her commitment to serving others.

Remembering Gladys

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse T. Collins, Jr.; her daughter, Aimee Charlene Collins; her sons, Erin Jesse Collins and Ronald J. Collins; her parents and grandparents; two sisters, Charlene Cason and Sheila L. Hurt and two brothers Leroy Booker and Richard Booker; and her paternal siblings, Billy Byrd Jefferson, Theo Margaret Williams, Dorothy Jean Stewart, and Jeanne Jefferson.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, April D. Collins, Yvette R. Collins-Odell, and Jessica G. Collins-Kamuru; her grandchildren, Alicia Jackson Juniel, Steven ODell, Zachary Collins, Kellon ODell, Olivia ODell, Benjamin Collins, Jasmine Kamuru and Jacob Kamuru, Janell Owens, Jordon White and Kendra Brooks ) and great-grandchildren; her surviving siblings; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and those whose lives she touched through her years of care and service.

Gladys's Legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the people she cared for, and the community she faithfully served. Her life will be remembered with love and gratitude.

Celebration of Life Services will beheld on November 21st at St. John CME Church 1625 Main St Richmond MO. The visitation will be from 11:00-12:00. Services at 12:00. Repass will be immediately after service. Interment will be a later date.