Virginia Collins

Virginia Ellen Collins, lovingly know as Penny, was born September 3, 1939 to Charles and Alleen Downing in Denver, CO. She attended Denver Public Schools and graduated from East High School in 1957. Upon graduating, Penny moved to Los Angeles, CA to start a new life. She met her future husband, Earl Eugene Collins soon after her arrival. After dating for a short time, they were married on April 19, 1959. During their forty-three years marriage, they had three sons and a daughter. Penny loved her husband and children dearly and was very passionate about raising her family. She also had a desire to work outside the home which led her to obtaining a job at JPL for 15 years. She enjoyed working there until she was struck with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although Penny suffered with this disease the majority of her adult life, her deep spiritual connection with God and her loving and supportive family, kept her spirits high and gave her the courage to manage her illness and enjoy life. Penny loved dogs and being creative. Her room was full of bright pictures that she had colored and had an ever-growing bracelet collection. She enjoyed watching TV and the latest movies which were made even better if she had some Chinese Food (a Happy Family with extra shrimp and cheese wontons to be specific) to chow down on! Penny was funny, sassy and charismatic, and never afraid to speak her mind and say what she wanted. Penny’s life was not always easy, but she was ever resilient. Though she was happy here on earth, she felt it was her time to go be with our Heavenly Father. She waited to make sure her sons were alright upon the passing of their father, and after a surprise last visit from her son, Kevin and granddaughter, she told a nurse she was happy, at peace, and could go home now. She will continue to watch over us and we will remember the words of wisdom she passed along that always came with a side of wit! The Lord called Penny home to Heaven and she left us peacefully on December 29, 2017 in Denver, CO. She was preceeded in death by her parents, her brothers, Richard, Calvin and John, ex-husband Earl Collins, and their daughter Tracy. Left behind to cherish her loving memory are sons Craig (Pam), Kevin (Felicia) and Damon; brother Eldridge (Butch); grandchildren Craig Jr., Ryan, Jammel, Amber, Whitney, Demarquis, Deja, Messiah, Zion and Christian; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Cousin Karen LeVelle was also very dear to her as she cared for Penny in her later years, along with her brother Butch.

Visitation: 1/6/2018 at 9:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 1/6/2018 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 1/6/2018 - Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO