Reva Collins

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Reva Collins, 98, of Marble Hill passed away Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, at Woodland Hills Nursing Home in Marble Hill.

Born on March 11, 1917, in Cape Girardeau, she was the daughter of the late Melvin and Elizabeth Hawn Eaker. She married Homer Collins on Sept. 23, 1939. He died Sept. 22, 1993.

Reva served as postmistress at Sank, Missouri, while she and Homer operated a general store there from 1946 to 1954. She later worked in the Bollinger County Assessor's office and was deputy county clerk for two years. She began working at Southeast Missouri State University in 1961 as a clerk in the business office. In 1971, she became business manager of dormitories, where she worked until her retirement in 1979.

Reva was active in politics, serving as a committeewoman, secretary and treasurer of the Bollinger County Central Committee of the Republican Party. She was a member of the Missouri Federation of Women's club, serving 12 years as president of the Marble Hill Study Club. She served as 9th district president from 1972 to 1974 and served on other committees in the district, as well as state chairwoman of the Home Life Department four years.

She was the local Red Cross Bloodmobile chairwoman for several years and chairwoman of Red Cross fund drives. She volunteered at the Senior Citizens Nutrition Center as long as possible, having served as the organization's president.

Reva was a member of Hahn Chapel General Baptist Church, serving as Sunday school secretary, Missionary Society president, Welcoming Committee, GYS and the Wayside Witness club.

Survivors include a sister, Melba (Norman) Elledge of Advance, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom Reva loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a sister, Virginia Collins; and three brothers, Eldo, Elwood and Jean Eaker.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill.

The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the Revs. Ray Webb and Gerald Huff officiating. Burial will be in Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery near Marble Hill.

Donations in her memory may be made to the American Red Cross or Hahn Chapel Church.