Belinda Ann Collins

On November 15, 2021, Belinda Ann Collins passed away at the age of 74 and went to heaven to be with her ‘sweet Jesus’. Belinda was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother (“Mama”), great-grandmother and prayer warrior. Belinda Ann was born in Alabama, met her husband and started their family in Ohio and then moved ‘out west’ to Arizona in 1981, as trailblazers for their family; where they made proudly made their humble homestead in the Dewey-Humboldt area. Belinda was a stay-at-home-mom until her youngest was in school, then she eventually landed in a local manufacturing assembly plant where she proudly worked until retiring, after 29 years. Belinda’s highest priority was always her husband and children, working to make a welcoming home and supporting and loving them unconditionally. She rarely sat down and was known as a clean-freak - as she could often be found washing dishes and gazing out the window to the backyard that they lovingly cultivated as their oasis, to enjoy as her ‘self-care therapy’; refusing the modern convenience of a dishwasher. She was a dedicated homemaker and hard worker and took pride in her housekeeping and landscaping; including mowing their acre of land herself and adding character and color where she could. Belinda particularly loved decorating for the holidays with the collectible bears and dolls that L.D. spoiled her with their entire marriage, much to the grandkids’ delight. Belinda gave her heart to Jesus at 8 years old at a vacation bible school. She attended church her entire adult life and she consistently read her Bible and devotionals until she couldn’t read herself, and then had her daily readings read to her. The Word was (literally) life, for her. While things were not always easy and got increasingly difficult toward the last few years, she confidently shared that she had such a blessed life and she fully trusted her Savior. She constantly prayed that her family and children would know of God’s love and hope. Her final prayer is that they will all accept Jesus as their personal Savior so they will be reunited in heaven, meeting the future generations there, as well. Belinda is survived by her husband of over 58 years and love of her life, L.D. Collins, whom she met at 12 years old and married at 16. Their infamous story of meeting at church and L.D. saying ‘that’s the girl I’m going to marry’, serves as the cornerstone legacy of faith and family that distinguishes their relationship and family values they have passed on. L.D. never left his bride’s side and was Belinda’s protector and provider, fulfilling their marriage covenant with dignity and devotion, serving as the greatest witness of their faith and commitment to God and each other, to the very last breath. Belinda is also survived by her three children and their spouses, L.D. Collins Jr (Kimberly Ann Collins), Gwendolyn Lea Collins Shoults (Edward Ross Shoults) and Crystal Ann Collins Van Dyke (Blue William Van Dyke), 8 grandchildren (Alexandria Marie Collins, L.D. Collins III, Raymond Lea Collins, Vanessa Eve Shoults, Ryan Christopher Van Dyke, Chance William Van Dyke, Dakota RaeAnn Van Dyke and Addition True Van Dyke) and 3 great grandchildren (Brayden Ross Collins, Parker Timothy George and Mason William Van Dyke); whom she loves with all her heart, and her siblings Annie Jo Collins Decker, Connie Janitha Jewel Collins, Tony Collins, and Jenny Honea. She is predeceased by her parents Samuel E. Collins and Norma Jean Simmons Collins, and brother, Samuel (Buddy) Floyd Collins. The family will hold a private ceremony to celebrate her life. In lieu of gifts, the family encourages everyone that held Belinda or her family as part of their life to read the Bible; that they too will find the peace that passes all understanding, that only God can provide - which Belinda knew intimately. She is gone, but will not be forgotten.