Mary Hocker Collins, 82

Mary Hocker Collins, 82, of Selbyville, Del., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009
at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Del. The youngest of five siblings, she grew
up in a large loving family. She graduated as class salutatorian from Lord
Baltimore High School in 1945. She sang with the Hocker Family on WBOC radio
and in local venues for many years. Among many other jobs, she worked for H.F.
Wilgus and Bunting’s Nurseries before owning and operating a successful
strawberry farm. Collins was dedicated to volunteering and fundraising in her
community and received White House recognition from President Nixon for her
volunteer work with the mentally disabled at the Stockley Center in Georgetown,
Del. She volunteered at the Pyle Center in Roxana, and her church, Mariner’s
Bethel, where she directed the children’s choir for many years. She was also
the co-author of “140 Years of Rainbows” a book about Mariner’s Bethel United
Methodist Church and the surrounding area. The proceeds from the sale of the
book were donated to the church.

Collins is preceded in death by her parents, Jacob Hocker and Helen Vansant
Hocker; and her brothers, Clayton, Jacob and Wilbur Hocker. She is survived by
her husband of 58 years, William W. Collins; two sons, Grady M. Collins and his
wife Antoinette of Boothwyn, Pa., Brett B. Collins and his wife Vanessa of
Salisbury, Md.; four grandchildren, Kara, William, Georgette and Alexandra;
three great grandchildren; her sister, Bessie Briggs and numerous other
relatives.

A funeral service is set for Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, 11:30 a.m. at the chapel
of Melson Funeral Services on West Avenue in Ocean View, where friends may call
after 10 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be
made to Mariner’s Bethel U.M. Church, 81 Central Ave., Ocean View, DE 19970.

Source: Coastal Point