Virginia Bryant Collins of Stuart died on December 29, 2020. She was 100 years old. During her long life, she had been a wife, mother, cook/caterer, amateur artist, factory worker, saleswoman, and museum docent. She was born May 20, 1920, near Stuart. Her father, Emmet Bryant, was a farmer and orchardist and her mother, Maude Gilbert Bryant, raised 9 children. Virginia was the youngest of four daughters and had two older and three younger brothers, all of whom are now deceased.
She married Amon Collins of Stuart in 1939; they lived in Stuart, with intervals during World War II and the early 1950s when they lived in Newport News, VA, where Mr. Collins worked in the shipyards. Mr. Collins passed away in 1992. Mrs. Collins is survived by her children, Ray Collins of Amelia, VA, Charles Collins of Collinsville and Janet Collins Demiray of Stuart, as well as three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Virginia was known as an excellent cook; she worked for 10 years at the Reynolds Homestead, preparing meals and specialty items for classes and events such as Spring Frolic and Victorian Christmas. The Homestead collected many of her recipes in a booklet, “Virginia’s Favorites,” which was sold in the gift shop. Her last job, from which she retired in 2005, was as the receptionist and research assistant at the Patrick County Historical Museum. Her knowledge of local places and people, as well as her friendly and helpful demeanor, made her a favorite with museum visitors. Her Homestead and museum work came after retirement from United Elastic/J.P. Stevens, where she worked more than twenty years.
Growing up during the Great Depression in a rural area, Virginia’s formal education was limited. However, she was an avid reader from early childhood and a lifelong learner; she especially enjoyed the many art classes and lectures at the Reynolds Homestead. She loved crossword puzzles and board and card games, sewing and related crafts and gardening. She painted in acrylics and watercolors, mostly rural scenes reminiscent of Patrick County. She lived a long and full life and her passing takes with it a bit of our history.
