Ruth LaVonne Collins

Ruth LaVonne Collins, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, artist, musician, and storyteller, passed away peacefully at her home in Vanzant, Missouri, on August 18, 2026. She was 84 years old.

Ruth was born on February 24, 1942, in Twin Bridges, Missouri, to Roe and Mabel Fish.

As a child, Ruthy enjoyed being active outdoors - playing with kittens, swimming in the river with big sister Helen, and helping her father Roe with farm chores. Ruth had a special relationship with her Aunts Eva and Florence. She spent many hours playing on their farms.

As a child, Ruth attended Pleasant Mound School. She was recognized as a quick learner and advanced a grade in elementary school. For high school, she attended Dora High School.

She married Duane Collins on June 8, 1958, and together they built a life centered around family, friendship, hard work, creativity, and love.

Ruth was a devoted mother to her children, Darrah Collins and Kelly Collins. She was also a proud grandmother to Dustin Pettit, Grace Collins, Kai Collins, and Leah Collins. To her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews, she was affectionately known as “Aunt Ruthy.” She held her family close to her heart and treasured the time she spent with them.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Collins; daughter, Darrah Collins; parents, Roe and Mabel Fish; brothers, Jim Fish and John McDaniel; sister, Helen Cooper; and niece, Jaceana Lakey.

She is survived by son, Kelly Collins and wife Cathy; grandson, Dustin Pettit, granddaughters Grace Collins, Kai Collins, and Leah Collins; sister, Joyce Ann Osborn; nieces and nephews, Tony Cooper, Michael Lakey, James Grant Fish, David Fish, Ramona Androus, Lisa Johnson, and Jill Lakey; along with many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Ruth lived a life filled with creativity and purpose. In the 1970s, she worked at Sears and Roebuck before following her entrepreneurial spirit and starting her own small business. Throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, she designed and sewed country-style crafts. One of her most sought-after creations was her beloved “Jar Bunny,” a design that was featured in several Country Living magazines.

Later in life, Ruth found great pride in her career with the Federal Forestry Service. Working from the Ava, Missouri, Ranger Station, she served as office manager as well as a fire and emergency dispatcher. Her dedication and skill earned her several merit awards, and she continued serving with the Forestry Service until her retirement.

Ruth was a woman of many talents. She was an artist, writer, and gifted photographer with a remarkable eye for capturing the beauty around her. Music was another great love. Ruth was a musician and songwriter who enjoyed singing and playing guitar at weekly bluegrass jams. She was inspired to be creative by her very talented mother, Mabel Fish.

She and Duane also shared a love of square dancing. For nearly 20 years, weekends often found them at a dance somewhere, enjoying music, laughter, and good times with friends. Those evenings were a cherished part of the life they built together.

Above all else, Ruth treasured her family and friends. She loved deeply, gave generously, and left an impression on the many people fortunate enough to know her. Her beauty, intelligence, and hospitality made her the cherished person that we loved. Her love will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Ruth LaVonne Collins will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever treasured as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend—and to so many, simply Aunt Ruthy.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Vanzant Cemetery or Vanzant Community Building.