Avis M. Collins-Moore, age 89, was born April 10, 1926, to Benjamin H. and Lethia (Harris) Williams in St. Louis, Mo. She passed away Oct. 9, 2015, at Houston House.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father, infant sister, first husband and a great niece Kristy Dawn Williams
Avis married Alvin R. Collins in 1953. Prior to her marriage she had worked at International Shoe Factory. As newlyweds they lived in Kansas City, Mo., and in 1960 moved back to the homestead where she grew up in Arthur’s Creek community. They enjoyed traveling especially to the Rocky Mountains. Having no children of their own, they were exceptionally close to their nieces and nephews and enjoyed spending time with them.
On June 27, 1970, Alvin passed away coming home from work at Fort Leonard Wood. Avis married Jesse Moore on September 1974. She loved being outside and raising a small herd of cattle with Jesse. It was not unusual for her to venture out in the middle of the night to check to see if a new calf had arrived safely. Avis and Jesse also did some traveling mostly in the southern states. Enjoying family gatherings like she did she was never in a hurry to leave.
Avis was a member of the First Christian Church in Houston, Mo. Later in life she attended Northside Baptist Church as long as her health permitted.
In addition to Jesse, she is survived by her brother, Ernest E. (Gene) Williams and wife Shirley, Houston, Mo.; nephew Steve Williams and wife Rita and niece Bev Fringer and husband Miles of Houston, Mo., niece Linda Moore and husband Rich of O’Fallon, Ill., and nephew Danny Woods and wife of Mountain Grove, Mo.; Great niece Stephany Vesely and husband Kyle, great nephew Tyler Williams and wife Sarah, all of Nixa, Mo., great nephew Jared Clark of Seattle, Wash., and great niece Jamie Altman and husband Billy of Houston, Mo., great nieces Kristen and Erynne Moore of O’Fallon, Ill., and great-great nieces and nephews, Jordan, Madison and Gracyn Vesely, Marshall Williams and Gavin and Arabella Altman. She is also survived by stepsons Mike Moore and family and Bruce Moore and family of Iberia, Mo.
Avis will be greatly missed but we are rejoicing that she is freed from this earthly body.
John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Visitation is 1 to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, at Northside Baptist Church with services beginning at 2 p.m. Burial is in Arthur’s Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers are: Mike Moore, Kyle Vesely, Billy Altman, Richard Moore, Miles Fringer and Tyler Williams. Memorials may be made to Arthur’s Creek Cemetery in her memory.
Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com. Arrangements were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
PAID
