Alvy Leon Collins, 86, passed away in Ennis, Texas on Wednesday, February 26, 2014. Alvy was born in Texarkana, Texas on September 18, 1927 to Vera and Alvy Polk. At age two he became the son of Frank and Fannie (Clark) Collins. He grew up in Bardwell, Texas and graduated from Bardwell High School in 1946. On August 9, 1950 he married Gay Nell Tucker and they were lifetime residents of Bardwell. He worked for Ennis Business Forms for over thirty-five years as a pressman and as a Farmer in Bardwell. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bardwell for more than sixty years, the Masonic Lodge in Bardwell #1054 and Ennis #369 for over sixty-five years, the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite of Dallas and IOOF. He enjoyed reading, oil painting, woodwork, history, and traveling. He is survived by one daughter, Sharon Tolar and husband, Tom of Bardwell, grandchildren: Chris Tolar and wife, Laura, Valerie Harvey and husband, Bryan all of Plano; three great-grandchildren: Coleman Tolar, Harrison Tolar and Deacon Harvey; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Don and Una Mahaley of Waxahachie along with several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by all his parents, his wife, Gay Nell Tucker Collins on January 15, 2010, and one sister. The family wishes to thank the Legend Oaks staff and Family First Hospice for the love and care given to Alvy. If you choose to make a memorial in Alvy’s name, please consider First Baptist Church of Bardwell, The Texas Baptist Home for Children in Waxahachie, or the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Visitation will be on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis. A Celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel of Ennis with Rev. Kevin Lewis and Rev. Irvan Anthony officiating. Interment will follow in Elm Branch Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. www.jekeevermortuary.com
