Virginia Collins
Jerseyville | Save
Virginia Frances Collins, 98, passed away on Monday, October 12th at 4:46 pm at Jersey Community Hospital surrounded by her family.
Virginia was born on November 30, 1927 in Fordyce, AR to the late Virgil Franklin Gray and Amy Frances Bryant Gray. She was the youngest of 4 children.
Virginia made her way to the Alton area at the age of 16. There she worked for her aunt and uncle in their restaurant (Taystee Sandwich Shop) located on Piasa Street.
In March of 1946, she married Joseph E. Grizzle Jr. in Wichita Falls, TX. Together, they raised three children.
After the death of her husband, Joe, in November, 1970, she worked for Modern Beauty Salon for a number of years as a receptionist.
In June of 1975, she married Edward T. Collins of Jerseyville. He preceded her in death in May of 1993.
Virginia retired in 2017 at the age of 90 after spending 33 years tending bar at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jerseyville.
Virginia was loved by so many people. She never met a stranger and was a friend to all who knew her. Her extended family at Hawthorne Inn included many residents and employees. They all kept her young at heart!
Virginia loved sitting outside whenever she could and enjoyed many activities in her lifetime. Many of those included bingo, going to the casino, spending time with family, or just going for a drive.
Virginia was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt.
She will be greatly missed by her gran-dog, Rayna, who came to visit her every week.
Virginia is survived by two sons, John Grizzle of Godfrey and Kenny Grizzle of Jerseyville; one daughter, Robyn Grizzle Wittry (Mark) of Saint Louis, Missouri, and one bonus daughter, Judy Collins of Jerseyville. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her siblings and a great granddaughter.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, October 20 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church.
Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.
Crawford Funeral Home
