Dixie A. Collins

Dixie Ann Collins, 71, of Chetopa, passed away at 10:51 a.m., Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at her home.

She was born November 19, 1946 at Parsons, Kansas to Frank and Gertrude (Kepner) Gail.  She grew up and attended school in Chetopa and graduated from Chetopa High School in 1964.  Following high school, she attended the Coffeyville Junior College where she graduated in the spring of 1966.  Then she attended the Pittsburg State Teacher's College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.  Following graduation, she started her teaching career as the Kindergarten teacher in Chetopa starting in 1968.  This led to a 30 year teaching job at Chetopa, most of those years were in Kindergarten, but she also taught a few years in the 2 ^nd , 3 ^rd and 4 ^th grades.  Dixie retired from teaching in 1998.

In 1970, she met Ray Collins, a 1960 CHS graduate.  In April of 1971, they were married at the First Christian Church in Chetopa.  He survives, of the home.  Throughout their married life, they made their home in Chetopa.  Over the years, they enjoyed traveling together.  As an active member of the First Christian Church, she had served as the church organist and treasurer.  Dixie also enjoyed playing bridge.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Ray Collins, of the home. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services for Dixie Ann Collins will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 25, 2018 at the First Christian Church with Rev. Terry Robinson officiating.  Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery at Chetopa.  The family will receive friends at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Chetopa from 7 to 8 p.m., Friday.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Parsons Animal Lovers Shelter and these may be left at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Chetopa.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.