Collins celebrates 100 years

February 27, 2012

Mae Collins, Bryant resident, celebrated her 100th birthday Jan. 21, with a party attended by more than 100 family members and friends, firemen from the Bryant Fire Department and a news crew from Channel 7 at the Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center.
Collins, born Mae Milam, in Mineral Springs on Jan. 23, 1912, has had a rich life.
She said, "You know what, I asked God, why did he let me live to be 100, and he told me it was none of my business."
Family members traveled from all over the state, Ohio and Kentucky to ring-in Collins' century of life.
Collins had eight children - five sons and three daughters. She has a multitude of grandchildren, as well as great-grandchildren.
"Lord, I can't count on all my fingers all the grandchildren I have," Collins said.
Growing up in Howard County, Collins worked on the farm.
"I picked and chopped cotton," she said. "My daddy had a hardware store," she added.
Collins became a caretaker after she got older.
Now, Collins is cared for by Pam Malone, LPN.
"She's a dream - a lovely, lovely lady," Malone said.
"The staff of Southern Trace wishes to thank the Bryant Fire Department and Martin Couch with Channel 7 for celebrating with us and making Ms. Collins' 100th birthday memorable," Malone said.