Obituary for Bailey Terese Collins
“I decided to focus on the good times and not the regrets that I had.” Phoebe
Bailey Terese Collins, age 33, passed away on February 18, 2023. Born in St. Louis, Missouri on St. Patrick's Day, 1989, Bailey was brought home to the Ozarks when she was 6 months old. She attended Willard Public Schools all 12 years, followed by University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State), and finally Southern New Hampshire University to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. During her endeavors to finish her degree, she married her partner Ryan in 2011, had two sons Larry and Forrest, and stayed home to raise and educate her children so that Ryan could further his education.
Bailey was a kind and empathetic soul that suffered when others suffered, and laughed when others laughed. She tolerated and forgave others’ shortcomings, but not the hurt they inflicted. She was always quick with an “I love you”, and while it’s a cliche’, Bailey was truly beautiful inside and out. She had a thirst for life and never met a stranger, connecting with people and making them feel special was her gift. You could feel her energy when she was near, she was vivacious, colorful, silly, artistic and oh so smart. She had a knack for the most obscure things, and when asked how she knew all that, her reply was always, “It’s interesting information if you’re interested.” She loved the outdoors and reveled in finding something to share with others; a flower, a nest, an arrowhead or fossil. While she liked the Ozarks’ forests and streams where she was raised, she loved the grandeur of the West and wanted to make that her home. Sadly, that will not be as she has departed this world and leaves a huge emptiness in the hearts of all who loved her; friends, family and some who only had a glimmer of her in passing. Stay close to anything and anyone that makes you glad you are alive.
Bailey was preceded in death by her cherished grandparents Charles and Joan Collins (Willard, MO) and Roger and Onda Craven (Springfield, MO); namesake Aunt Teresa 'Terri' Craven Carpenter and her daughter Christa Carpenter (Morrisville, MO); Uncle Mike Craven and son Rodney (Waurika, OK); and Cousin Kobby Wilson (Milton, FL).
Bailey is survived by her partner Ryan Gordy and their beautiful, beloved boys Lawrence ‘Larry' and Forrest Gordy (Yuma, AZ); parents Charles and Christy Craven Collins (Willard, MO); brother Benjamin Collins and partner Sarah Byrd (Willard, MO); Uncle Tim Craven (Springfield, MO); Aunt Christine Collins and Uncle Amir Rofougaran (Los Angeles, CA); Aunt Carol Craven (Gentry, AR); Uncle Randy Carpenter (Willard, MO); and cousins Tiffany (Chris) Hyatt (Reseda, CA); Leann (Craig) Bacon and daughters Lillian and Carmen (Supulpa, OK); Erica (Austin) Abbott and children Amelia and Elias (Seattle, WA); Ashley (Kris) Wilson and son Zak (Milton, FL); and many aunts, uncles, and cousins removed along with a multitude of friends.
Bailey’s life and time will be celebrated on Saturday, April 8th from noon until 3pm at the Savoy Ballroom, 224 E. Commercial Street, Springfield (see https://www.dropbox.com/s/fv6jixebb6jidji/savoyparking2-2.pdf?dl=0 for parking detail), with prayers and eulogy to be read at 1pm. We ask that everyone who knew Bailey bring a photo or written remembrance of her antics, her love, her friendship, to be posted during this gathering and saved for her boys' future reading. Keep watching this obituary for updates.
In lieu of flowers we ask that a Tribute Gift donation be made in memory of Bailey Collins to Ozarks Food Harvest at www.ozarksfoodharvest.org or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 5746, Springfield, MO, 65801. Please include "In memory of Bailey Collins" in the memo of check donations.
“I once asked a bird, how is it that you fly in this gravity of darkness? She responded, Love lifts me.” Hafez
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.
Bailey Terese Collins, age 33, passed away on February 18, 2023. Born in St. Louis, Missouri on St. Patrick's Day, 1989, Bailey was brought home to the Ozarks when she was 6 months old. She attended Willard Public Schools all 12 years, followed by University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State), and finally Southern New Hampshire University to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. During her endeavors to finish her degree, she married her partner Ryan in 2011, had two sons Larry and Forrest, and stayed home to raise and educate her children so that Ryan could further his education.
Bailey was a kind and empathetic soul that suffered when others suffered, and laughed when others laughed. She tolerated and forgave others’ shortcomings, but not the hurt they inflicted. She was always quick with an “I love you”, and while it’s a cliche’, Bailey was truly beautiful inside and out. She had a thirst for life and never met a stranger, connecting with people and making them feel special was her gift. You could feel her energy when she was near, she was vivacious, colorful, silly, artistic and oh so smart. She had a knack for the most obscure things, and when asked how she knew all that, her reply was always, “It’s interesting information if you’re interested.” She loved the outdoors and reveled in finding something to share with others; a flower, a nest, an arrowhead or fossil. While she liked the Ozarks’ forests and streams where she was raised, she loved the grandeur of the West and wanted to make that her home. Sadly, that will not be as she has departed this world and leaves a huge emptiness in the hearts of all who loved her; friends, family and some who only had a glimmer of her in passing. Stay close to anything and anyone that makes you glad you are alive.
Bailey was preceded in death by her cherished grandparents Charles and Joan Collins (Willard, MO) and Roger and Onda Craven (Springfield, MO); namesake Aunt Teresa 'Terri' Craven Carpenter and her daughter Christa Carpenter (Morrisville, MO); Uncle Mike Craven and son Rodney (Waurika, OK); and Cousin Kobby Wilson (Milton, FL).
Bailey is survived by her partner Ryan Gordy and their beautiful, beloved boys Lawrence ‘Larry' and Forrest Gordy (Yuma, AZ); parents Charles and Christy Craven Collins (Willard, MO); brother Benjamin Collins and partner Sarah Byrd (Willard, MO); Uncle Tim Craven (Springfield, MO); Aunt Christine Collins and Uncle Amir Rofougaran (Los Angeles, CA); Aunt Carol Craven (Gentry, AR); Uncle Randy Carpenter (Willard, MO); and cousins Tiffany (Chris) Hyatt (Reseda, CA); Leann (Craig) Bacon and daughters Lillian and Carmen (Supulpa, OK); Erica (Austin) Abbott and children Amelia and Elias (Seattle, WA); Ashley (Kris) Wilson and son Zak (Milton, FL); and many aunts, uncles, and cousins removed along with a multitude of friends.
Bailey’s life and time will be celebrated on Saturday, April 8th from noon until 3pm at the Savoy Ballroom, 224 E. Commercial Street, Springfield (see https://www.dropbox.com/s/fv6jixebb6jidji/savoyparking2-2.pdf?dl=0 for parking detail), with prayers and eulogy to be read at 1pm. We ask that everyone who knew Bailey bring a photo or written remembrance of her antics, her love, her friendship, to be posted during this gathering and saved for her boys' future reading. Keep watching this obituary for updates.
In lieu of flowers we ask that a Tribute Gift donation be made in memory of Bailey Collins to Ozarks Food Harvest at www.ozarksfoodharvest.org or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 5746, Springfield, MO, 65801. Please include "In memory of Bailey Collins" in the memo of check donations.
“I once asked a bird, how is it that you fly in this gravity of darkness? She responded, Love lifts me.” Hafez
Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.