Mary Elizabeth Collins, 94, of Wylie, passed peacefully from this life on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Mary was born to Johnnye and Cordie Truelove on August 26, 1925, and grew up in Blue Ridge, Texas. She was the youngest of five children born to her family. She married the love of her life, James Raymond Dillon in 1946. Ray served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and during that time, they lived in several states throughout the country, She loved those years and made so many great memories and friends along the way.  In her husband's last two years in the service, they were back in their home state in Kingsville, Texas, where they had their only daughter, Debra Rae. After he retired from the Navy, Ray went to A&M and became a state game warden, settling in Portland, Texas for ten years. When they had the opportunity to transfer back to their home area of North Texas, they were thrilled to be back near family again and settled in Wylie in 1973. Sadly, Ray passed away suddenly, less than a year later, ending their 28-year marriage way before it's time. Mary worked for Wylie ISD for several years after that to allow her hours line up with her daughter's. She was primarily located in the middle and high schools, but did bookkeeping for all three cafeterias in Wylie schools at that time. She met lifelong wonderful friends during those years and never stopped talking about how much fun she had while there. After her retirement, she found love once more and married Ed Collins, of Wylie. They were married five years, when he tragically passed away, after a lengthy illness. Shortly after that, Mary moved to Garland, where she lived for over 25 years.

Mary was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Wylie, and then for the last 27 years, she was an active member of Freeman Heights Baptist Church in Garland, where she spent countless hours of her senior years with her amazing church family. Mary was always a joyful lady that loved life and lit up the room when she walked into it. She lived her life to the fullest with a grateful heart and never stopped counting her many blessings and thanking God every day for them.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Glynn Tyson, of Wylie. Her grandchildren, Ashley Tyson and Jamie Tyson, Daniel Tyson and Gregory Tyson, nephews Tom Truelove, Sr. of Grapevine. Danny Dillon, of Dallas. Keith Parris, of Tyler, and nieces, Mary Truelove of McGregor, Karen Vinson of Dallas, and Linda Simpson of Sachse, and many beloved cousins and countless friends.

Services will be held on Saturday, June, 13:       2:00 pm at:  Freeman Heights Baptist Church

1120 N. Garland Avenue

Garland, TX 75040

Interment to follow::     4:00 pm       Blue Ridge Cemetery

Hwy. 78

Blue Ridge, TX  75424