Janet Sarah Kelly Collins

Janet Collins passed away Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Pine Pointe Hospice after a brief illness. Funeral services will be at 3:00PM on Monday, March 21, 2016 at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church with the Reverends Jimmy Towson and Tommy Perkins officiating. Burial will be at Macon Memorial Park. Family will greet friends Sunday, March 20, 2016 between 4:00-6:00PM at Hart's at the Cupola, 6324 Peake Road. Janet was born on June 26, 1927 in Macon, Georgia to the late Janet Haynes Kelly and Russell Morgan Kelly. She graduated from Miller High School for Girls, attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, Mercer University, and graduated from Wesleyan Conservatory with a BFA in painting. She also attended Georgia College for Women and received her teaching certificate while raising three girls with her husband, James O. Collins. Janet was employed by the Bibb County Schools for 30 years as a fourth grade teacher at Rosa Taylor and Springdale. As a teacher, she shared her love for children, teaching, music and art. An active member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church and a loyal member of the Joy Class Sunday School for over fifty years, Janet played the piano for the Joy Class most of those years. In 2012, Janet Collins was the recipient of "The Quiet Disciple" Award given by the United Methodist Women. Janet and her late husband, James, were two of the original "Scampers," a group of campers at Mulberry Methodist Church. Using her talent as an artist, Janet designed the logo that is still used today. Janet Collins played piano weekly for many years at Lynn Haven Nursing Home in Gray, other nursing homes, and for the past 13 years at The Cottages at Wesleyan where she resided. She also has played for the children's choirs at Mulberry, Young at Heart, Cherry Blossom Festival events, and always shared her talents generously and with little fuss or fanfare. Janet's love of playing the piano was her way to connect to the community and volunteer her services. Her volunteering over the years has extended to Macon Outreach, The Methodist Home for Children and the United Methodist Women. Janet was an active member of the Paula Motes Circle at Mulberry and a Miller High School lunch group that met once a month for many years. She was a member of the Sidney Lanier Chapter of the UDC and a member of the Mary Hammond Washington chapter of the DAR. The mother of three girls, the grandmother of four, and the great grandmother of one, Janet was adored by her family and friends. She had a joyful heart, a willing spirit, was always cheerful, a gracious helper and a caring and loyal friend. She will be greatly missed by many. Janet is survived by her daughters, Dohnna Boyajian (John) of Ninety Six, South Carolina, Debbie Wicker (Mark Otto) of St. Augustine, Florida, and Denise Collins of Macon, Georgia; grandchildren, Jayme Potts Swain (Jason) of Macon, Georgia, Collin Wicker and Cody Wicker of St. Augustine, Florida, Zane Keator (Terra) of Waterloo, South Carolina; and an adored great granddaughter, Lenora Lee Swain of Macon, Georgia. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Wilson Long of Macon, Georgia and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gwyn and Walter Mattison of Austin, Texas; along with many nieces and nephews, cousins and special friends. Janet was predeceased by her parents and her husband of 55 years, James O. Collins; and special friend, Jim Tyler. The family can be reached at the home, 1633 Wesleyan Drive, Macon. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Methodist Children's Home, PO Box 2525, Macon, Georgia 31203, or Pine Pointe Hospice, 6261 Peake Road, Macon, Georgia 31210. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.