A celebration of the life of Miriam Virginia Johnston Collins, 83, of Winnsboro will be held 10 a. m. Friday May 21, 2021, at First Baptist Church, Winnsboro. Interment will follow at Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Dennard First National Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5 8 p.m. Thursday May 20, 2021 at the church.
Virginia was born on August 25, 1937 in Liddieville to Gordy Hines Johnston and Rachel Gladys Valentine Johnston and passed from this life on May 19, 2021, at her residence in Winnsboro.
She attended Ogden High School and graduated as Valedictorian of her Senior Class. She went on to graduate from Northeast Louisiana State College with a BA degree in elementary education. Virginia taught school at East Houma, Baskin and Winnsboro Elementary Schools. Her creativeness and artistic abilities allowed her to enjoy writing poetry and drawing. In addition, she was an accomplished writer for the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board and wrote the history of Deer Creek Baptist Association. She helped establish the Good Samaritans and served as the first director. Virginia was a caring, loving, compassionate Christian woman who loved her family and the Lord. She served in multiple leadership roles at First Baptist Church. She believed in the power of prayer and helped to start the Prayer Ministry for First Baptist Church.
Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Gordy and Gladys Johnston; brother, Gordy Williams "G. W." Johnston; three sisters: Gloria Joy Johnston Tarver, Laverne Marie Johnston Beattey and Byrdie Mae Johnston Jennings.
Survivors left to cherish her memory include her husband of 63 years Bobby Frank Collins, Sr.; her children: Barry Collins and wife Angie, Pam Collins Downing and husband Eric, Keith Collins and wife Lisa, Bobby Collins, Jr. and wife Kristin, Samuel Collins, and Jorie Collins Sanford and husband Gary; 17 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends.
Pallbearers will be Benjamin Collins, Caleb Collins, Daniel Collins, Tyler Collins, Andrew Downing, and Bryce Sanford.
The family would like to extend a sincere thanks to Hospice TLC, Mangham Home Health and her special friend Elaine Malone.
Online condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational.com .

Visitation
First Baptist Church - Winnsboro
Thursday, May 20, 2021
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Highland St.
Winnsboro, LA 71295
Funeral Service
First Baptist Church - Winnsboro
Friday, May 21, 2021
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Highland St.
Winnsboro, LA 71295
Interment
Northeast Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery
Friday, May 21, 2021
Hwy 425
Rayville, LA 71269