Myra Potter Collins was born August 29, 1834, at Hartsville, N. Y., and was the ninth child of a family of four sons and six daughters born to Perry and Sarah Palmiter Potter.
She was educated at Alfred Academy and later became a teacher. At the age of twenty-two she was united in marriage to James D. Coon of Brookfield, N. Y. One child was born of this union, Florence M. Coon.
While Florence was only a small infant her father, because of the great need of more soldiers, enlisted in the Civil War and was in Sherman's march to the sea. During this march he dropped dead on the field and the wife spent months in dreadful suspense, as she received no word as to what had befallen him. Finally a letter came telling her of his death. When Florence was about ten years old they came West and joined Myra's sister Eliza, who had married Rev. Thomas Babcock of Albion.
She was married to Thomas B. Collins, December 4, 1880. He preceded her in death on September 26, 1911.
Perhaps the greatest sorrow of her life was the loss of her beautiful daughter, who departed this life during her twenty-first year.
Mrs. Collins was very much attached to her home and spent her summers there. Because of failing health she spent the last few years of her life with her niece, Mrs. James Noble of Albion.
In early life she gave her heart to Christ her Savior, and found great joy in Christian service. Her joyous, hopeful testimonies in the prayer meetings were an inspiration to all who heard her.
Farewell services were held in the Albion church on Thursday afternoon, June 24, conducted by Pastor J. H. Hurley, and the body was placed in the Albion cemetery.
J. H. H.
