Collins

Mary Evelyn Jackson Collins passed away on March 6, 2022 in Kingwood.

Mary was born in New Mexico on May 25, 1941 and spent her childhood in Ruidoso, New Mexico. As a young mother, she lived in Texas and New Jersey. She returned to Texas in 1972 and lived in Seabrook where her daughter Kalah and son Kyle Goodman attended school. She spent many volunteer hours at the United Methodist Church and organizations where her son and daughter were involved with. Mary and her children had a custom of learning about other countries through food recipes. They would research a country, and cook a meal from that culture.

Mary returned to school during this time, graduating from University of Houston, Clear Lake Branch, with a degree in Computer Science. This led to a career with a major computer company, working with both technical and marketing groups, which included extensive traveling.

It was during this time that Mary met Edward N. Collins. They were married on Oct. 6, 1991 six years after and on the day they met. Ed and Mary enjoyed tennis, boating on Galveston Bay with first a trawler and then a off-shore race boat. They enjoyed extensive traveling during this time, including trips to Europe, the islands, Mexico and Bare Boat Chartering. She was blessed by the addition of Darrel and Brent Collins to her family.

She and Edward built a home in Seabrook in 1991, and then in 1999 they purchased land in Fayette County, near La Grange. They spent seven years clearing the land, establishing ponds, building a home, and setting up a small cattle operation. Ed designed and they built their home, doing much of the labor themselves. Upon Ed’s retirement in 2004, they moved to the country fulltime. There are many pictures of Mary driving tractors, bull dozers, using chain saws, power tools and tile cutters. They sold the ranch in 2020 to move to Kingwood.

Mary was comfortable with the construction process, as she had remodeled nine houses in the Seabrook and Clear Lake City area. She loved acquiring a house that was in disrepair, and to see the interest when it had been remodeled.

Upon her retirement in the early 1990’s, Mary returned to volunteering her time again. She often encouraged others to be in service to others, as she felt one received more than was given. Among other things, she was involved in a start-up organization in the Clear Lake area that supported a shelter for battered women and their children. The Friends of Bay Area Turning Point was chartered to raise funds for the shelter, and proved very successful. After moving to the La Grange area, Mary and Ed joined the LG First United Methodist Church where they worked with youth programs and fund raising efforts of the FUMC Men’s group. They also became involved with volunteer work in the county including Fayette County Habitat for Humanity. She was very excited to be part of an organization that provided affordable houses for several families during her tenure with Habitat.

Mary was preceded in death by her Mother, Mary Cloe Jackson, her Father, Henry Jackson, and two brothers, James Jackson and Jack Jackson.

In keeping with Mary’s preference, there will be a family memorial service in celebration of life at their former ranch near Smithville in Fayette County.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 89, La Grange, TX 78945, or to Fayette County Habitat for Humanity P.O. Box