Mary Page Collins

Mary Susan Page Collins had a wonderful life.  She left this life on November 12, 2016.  We celebrate this remarkable woman and the legacies she has left behind.  A long-time resident on Boone Road in Eden NC, she most recently resided in Cary NC.
A Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, November 16th in the Fair Funeral Home Chapel.  The family will welcome friends one hour prior to the service from 2 till 3 pm. Burial will follow at Overlook Cemetery.
She was born March 27, 1928 in Caswell County, NC to Roy L. and Betty Kernodle Page.  She thrived on her family farm, and graduated from Anderson High School where she played on the Girls Basketball Team.  She also liked to remind everyone she was recognized as the healthiest girl in Caswell County, a designation she wore with pride.  She was predeceased by her parents as well as her brother, Roy L. Page, Jr. and sister Dorothy Page Jackson.
In the late 1940s she became a business woman as the owner and operator of the Nu-Mode Beauty Salon, in Burlington, NC.  It was there that she met her future husband, Lyman Arthur (Tom) Collins when he brought his mother to Nu-Mode, where she certainly got the newest mode.  And Tom found his bride.  They were married on September 25, 1949 and enjoyed a marriage of almost 55 years before they were parted by his death in 2004.
Their four children strive to live up to their parents’ examples and live up to their legacy.  David (Becky) of Horseshoe Bay, TX; Steve (Ruth) of Wirtz, VA; Lyman (Don Davis) of Raleigh, NC and Karen Wall of Sarasota, FL cherish their mother and will continue to heed much of her sound advice.  
She was a loving “MM” to her four grandchildren, Jason Collins of Roanoke, VA; Matt Collins of West Hollywood, CA; Carly Wall of Chico, CA and Carson Wall of Sarasota, FL.  She was predeceased by her granddaughter Casey Wall.
She delighted in big family gatherings, especially when they included her sister-in-law Frances B. Page and nephews and nieces Neal Page, Gale Little, Joe Page, Ricky Page, Gary Jackson,   Bettie Jackson Sliauter and their families, who all hold her in their memories.  She is also survived by cherished family friends Alexa Blair and Pat Smith.
Mary was a giver of the highest order.  She was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Eden for many years in multiple capacities most especially with the Food Pantry.  She also took great pride in her work with the Saturday Church School, which served the developmentally challenged.  Along with the late Betty Penn she founded the Church School and continued her support until just a few years ago. Her wide-ranging interests kept her active with the Eden Women’s Club, various garden clubs and countless bridge groups where she was renowned for her assertive bidding – bids which she usually made.  She also served her community for many years on the Eden Appearance Commission which fueled a passion for railing against litterbugs. She was a familiar figure at Morehead Hospital and various nursing homes throughout Eden, as she faithfully visited and brought cheer to patents, staff and residents 
A superb cook, Mary was often happiest in the kitchen and graciously welcomed all to gather around her dining room table for sumptuous repasts, always topped off with one of her chocolate pound cakes or delicious pies.  Her greatest fame, though, was her angel biscuits, which were routinely spread throughout Eden and beyond.  Her love for cooking did not extend to the clean-up phases which she happily left to Tom.  She always said if after she was gone and someone checked out her oven, they would know while she might not have been rigorous in its cleaning they would know she fed her family (and others) well.    
The family would like to thank the staff of Wake Med Cary along with Transitions Life Care of Raleigh.  Special appreciation also goes out to the staff of Brookdale Cary who did so much to make Mary feel at home and whose care, competence and compassion meant so much to Mary and her family.
Given Mary’s delight in all things floral, flowers are welcome.  Memorials in her memory may also be directed to Transition Life Care of Raleigh or the First Presbyterian Church Food Pantry Fund.
Online condolences may be offered at www.fairfuneralhome.com