Effie Charlene Collins entered eternal life on Sunday, July 9, 2017, in Highland Heights, KY. Charlene was the widow of Ivan Collins and the 3rd daughter of W. Raymond and Estelle Collins. She is survived by her two sons, W. Raymond II (Maureen) and John Ivan (Annie) Collins and 4 precious grandchildren, Jacob Wilson and Emerson Lane Collins, June Helen and Josephine Effie Collins.  Charlene’s four siblings-Lily Jane McCraven, Rebecca Anne Collins, Cordelia Rae (Dale) Schaber and Margaret Cecelia Collins are left to mourn her passing as well. Her oldest sister, Shirley Katherine Caudill, preceded her in death.  She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Phyllis Collins Martin, Wilma Collins Putnam and Mae Collins Bates, as well as several nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed by her niece, Haylee Jane Russell, her special caregiver.

Charlene was born in Whitesburg, KY on November 24th, 1946, and loved to read from a very early age. She was a great student and attended Morehead State University where she earned her teaching degree in 1968. She moved to Louisville after graduation where she began her teaching career. On July 4th, 1970, she married Ivan and they lived in Louisville until 1975, when they moved back home to raise their two boys with the help of her parents. Charlene gave up her teaching career until her boys were old enough to go to school. In the meantime, she worked on her Master’s of Education degree, earning it from Morehead in the summer of 1977. Charlene took a position as a 5th grade teacher at Jenkins Independent School District and was promoted to Principal at McRoberts Grade School.  Charlene left McRoberts to become the Principal of West Whitesburg Elementary, a position she loved and held until 1992. Charlene even had a rocking chair in her office where she would rock children who needed a mother’s touch during the school day or to calm herself on an especially hectic day. Charlene continued to further her education and career, returning to the Jenkins Independent School District, eventually serving as Assistant Superintendant as well as Interim Superintendant before retiring in 2001.

Charlene was very talented and enjoyed needlepoint, quilting and even took carpentry classes at the Letcher County Vocational School making beautiful cabinets for her kitchen. Her cooking was enjoyed by all those who had the pleasure of gathering at her table.

After retirement, Charlene moved to Northern Kentucky to be near her sisters where she enjoyed traveling with her sister, Lily, and hosting her sons, grandchildren, sisters and friends. Always the reader, Charlene was a member of the Cold Spring Chapter of the Campbell County Library Book Club and Joseph-Beth Rookwood Book Club.  

Charlene’s faith was very important to her. She was baptized into the Little Colley Church in November of 1967 and served as a member there until she moved to Northern Kentucky. She attended St Andrews Episcopal Church in Ft Thomas, KY until her death. She never waivered in the knowledge that one day she would see her husband, Ivan, her parents and all those who have gone before her in the land of milk and honey.

A loving mother, faithful wife, talent sharing sister, loyal friend, strong woman, dedicated educator and doting grandmother. Memorial Service: 7:00 O'clock P.M. Thursday, July 13, 2017 at the Letcher Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation: 5:00 P.M. Thursday at the Letcher Funeral Home Chapel.

 Service Information