Inez Davis Collins
On Saturday, February 25, 1933, at 5:12 a.m., a beautiful baby girl and future queen was born to Mr. Robert D. Davis and Mrs. Mary Moore Davis in Huntsville, Al. They named that beautiful baby Inez Davis. She transitioned peacefully from her earthly home in Roswell, Ga., surrounded by her loving family to her Heavenly home on Friday afternoon, July 26, 2024, at 5:29 p.m.
Inez was a very determined and curious child who loved adventure and experiencing new things. She grew up in Huntsville, Al., with her two beautiful sisters, Jewel and Georgia Ruth, grandparents, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins who were very influential in her life.
She attended Council High School where she played basketball. Following high school, Inez decided to pursue a college degree in elementary education and attended Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical College, which is presently known as Alabama A&M University located in Huntsville.
During college, Inez was chosen as the first black Miss Huntsville which was a huge accomplishment given the racial climate in the 1950s in Alabama! She became a queen!
Inez LOVED learning and was an avid reader until the last days of her long life.
She embraced teaching with natural talent and always expected her students to take advantage of the knowledge they received and use it to make themselves and their community a better place.
She also carried that same passion for education and learning into her home where she taught both her children and grandson to read before age 4.
She would take her daughter and son to the Chattanooga Library every Saturday so that they would be exposed to a multitude of books, children’s story hours, and fun learning activities.
She would always encourage her children, grandchild, and students to take advantage of a great education as that is the ONLY thing that cannot be taken from you and will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Following college, Inez landed her first teaching job in Mississippi where she taught 1st grade. On Jan. 24, 1961, Inez met the love of her life Mr. Wendell Lee Collins when she was visiting Chattanooga. They were married on June 25, 1961 and celebrated 57 years of marriage until Wendell lost his battle with an illness and went to Heaven in October 2018.
The couple was blessed with two children, Wynette Denise (Wendy) in 1965 and Wendell II (Dell) in 1970. The family would go on to be a very close-knit family who participated in competitive sports, travel, and community service.
Inez began her teaching career at Howard School and then had assignments at James A. Henry Elementary, Normal Park Elementary, Charles A. Bell Elementary, and finally spent 25 years teaching at Clifton Hills Elementary School. There she devoted countless hours to educating her students and even taught world renowned recording artist, Usher Raymond when he was in 2nd grade!
Inez dedicated 35 years to educating students and was beloved by her students and peers. In June of 1995 she retired along with her husband, Wendell. They were ready to enjoy a life of travel, leisure, and excitement together!
Inez was very fun loving, quite the jokester, and enjoyed traveling, shopping, and Christmas! She lived for decorating at Christmas and all things Christmas!
She would plan trips to amusement parks, zoos, beaches, area attractions, and fun road trips filled with several riding in the car games like the license plate game so we could learn the different states in our country. There was never a dull moment in the Collins’ household as there was always something fun to do.
Inez and Wendell bought a boat, and the summers became a lot more exciting with dinners on the boat and water skiing. She was the best event planner and was super creative and loved bringing her extended family together for holiday celebrations, family reunions, and summer activities. She was an AMAZING mother who always encouraged her children to be honest, kind, do their best, and follow their dreams.
She made the world a better and more beautiful place and did all things with kindness and love. In 1961, Inez became an active member of Thompkins Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church and oversaw the Ministry of Kindness for many years.
On Jan. 26, 1999, in Minneapolis, Mn., Inez got a new blessing to love and teach. This new blessing was her grandson, Mark Anthony. Granny, as she was fondly called, helped raise Mark Anthony and spent countless hours reading to and playing with him over the years.
Mark Anthony was always with his Granny and PaPa and they took him on fun adventures during his childhood. Mark Anthony loved his Granny and PaPa dearly to this very day!
In October 2016, Inez and Wendell moved from their home in Chattanooga to Atlanta to be closer to their children and enjoy their golden years.
During the last year, Inez’s health changed, and Wendy, Winston, Dell, and Mark Anthony then focused on taking great care of her until her transition to Heaven. Inez was loved deeply by her family and served as their “rock” and brought them joy every day. She was always there to help, listen, offer great advice, or provide a positive outlook on any situation.
Inez was preceded in death by her father, Mr. Robert Davis, her mother, Mrs. Mary Moore Darwin, sister Mrs. Jewel Davis Fields, nephew, Mr. Michael J. Fields, husband, Mr. Wendell L. Collins, brother-in-law, Mr. Addison J. Fields, and brother- in- law, Mr. James O. Bearden, Sr.
She is survived by her loving and devoted children, daughter, Wendy Collins Gandy and son-in-law, Winston H. Gandy, M.D.; son, Dell (Tolanda); grandson, Mark Anthony Pickett; sister, Mrs. Georgia Ruth Bearden (Huntsville, AL); four nephews, four nieces; several cousins, and a multitude of friends.
Public viewing will be held 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4, at the funeral home, followed by a 2 p.m. graveside service at Ooltewah Cemetery, 8823 Ooltewah Cemetery Road, Ooltewah, Tn. 37363.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, 423 622-9995.
The Lord has another angel in heaven named Inez Davis Collins. Devoted child of God, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, friend, and community servant.