Shirley Long Collins

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Shirley Long Collins, on January 27, 2021, due to Covid-19. Shirley was born January 20, 1928, in Memphis, Tennessee. The only daughter of Phelps Wilson Long and Martha Allen Long. At the age of six, Shirley moved with her family to Tallahassee, Florida, where her father was next in line to operate and run the family business, P.W. Wilson Company. Shirley attended school in Tallahassee and was a graduate of Leon High School, class of 1945. She attended Sweetbriar College, Sweet Briar, Virginia. Following a year at Sweet Briar, she came home to marry the love of her life, Joel W. Collins, III (Joe). Joe and Shirley had a wonderful, fun life together. Joe was a golfer and Shirley loved tennis. She played tennis almost daily starting in her 30’s, playing on Capital City Country Club Tennis league. She continued playing with her tennis friends until her heart slowed her down in her 80’s. She and Joe loved the Florida Gators and they attended most home games having the same seats for 40+ years. They enjoyed many road trips for away games with their Tallahassee gator friends. Shirley was a founding member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent, founding member to the Tallahassee Junior League, Cotillion Club, the Colonel’s Club and the Altar Guild at Church of the Advent. Shirley is survived by her four children, Martha Allen Collins Heitz, Shirley Virginia (Ginny) Collins Farrar, Phelps long Collins, and Cathy Ann Collins Galvis (Carlos). Grandchildren, Carly Heitz Hayes (Jason), Anna Marie Heitz, Brandon Arthur Heitz, Matthew Staley Miller, Kylie Elizabeth Epperson and Joshua Collins Farrar and great grandchildren, Emma Valentine and Kallie Rae Hayes. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, Phelps Wilson Long, Jr., and sons-in-laws, Art Heitz and Dan Farrar. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Augustine Plantation and Dr. Paul Katz for their love, care and support of our mother for the past 5 years. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, no service is planned. Memorial gifts in Shirley’s memory can be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308 or Episcopal Church of the Advent, 815 Piedmont Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Collins family with their arrangements.

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Shirley Long Collins

January 20, 1923 - January 27, 2021