Darlene Collins

Darlene Thrift Collins

Wrens, GA –               After a brief battle with pancreatic cancer, Darlene Thrift Collins, 67, peacefully left her earthly abode and entered into her eternal home in Heaven Saturday afternoon, August 20, 2022. Services to celebrate her life will be held at 12:00 P.M. Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Wrens Baptist Church with Reverend Mason Davis officiating.  Interment will follow in the Wrens Memorial Cemetery.

The Thrifts moved to Wrens in the summer of 1968. Salutatorian of the 1973 graduation class of Wrens High School, she attended Brewton Parker, graduating with an Associate degree in music.  A staunch supporter of Brewton Parker, she was named Music Alumni of the Year in 2010.  She was a diligent, conscientious worker, retiring as Office Manager from Atwell Pecan Company with over 38 years of service.  A musician “extraordinaire”, Darlene loved the piano and was the pianist for Wrens Baptist Church for 40+ years.  She used her God-given talent to bless the lives and hearts of countless souls, playing for weddings, funerals, community performances and cantatas.  Darlene has had a positive, Christian impact on the lives of many children and youth as she taught piano and accompanied many children and youth musical programs.  Having a servant’s heart, she served others by serving her God first, foremost and always.  Instead of being in the limelight, Darlene’s humble nature encouraged her to play a supporting role in the background while allowing other to shine.  In 2015, the City of Wrens proclaimed April 19th to be “Darlene’s Day” in appreciation and recognition of her service to the city, Wrens Baptist Church and the promotion of unity and brotherhood in our community. Darlene had a special affinity for the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home, serving as trustee from 2015 through 2019.  She will be remembered for her love of Christ, beautiful smile, quick wit, calming presence, and loyal, dependable friendship.  Darlene loved her family unconditionally and cherished every moment spent with them—she was happiest and most content in their presence.  Her passing leaves a huge void in many lives.  This void can only be filled with the memories each of us carry in our hearts.  Having a new, pain-free body, Darlene is now experiencing all of Glory with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in perfect love, peace and joy.

Darlene is preceded in death by her parents, Betty Darlene Dent Thrift and Loyce Edwin Thrift.  Those left to cherish her memories include her children, Chris Collins (Regina), Cara Jones (Kevin), Cassie Bartlett (W.G.) and Cayle Anderson (Rondell); eight grandchildren, Landen Collins, Ashley Collins, Collins Jones, Cayson Jones, Jaedon Crunkelton, Kendal Crunkelton, Dakota Anderson and Tamron Anderson; brother, Arty Thrift (Samantha); niece, Ansley Holloway (John); nephew, Kent Thrift (Katelyn); church family and a multitude of friends.

Darlene’s wishes and desire was that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Wrens Baptist Church, PO Box 217, Wrens GA 30833, website wrensbaptist.org OR to Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes, 505 Water Works Rd, Palmetto GA 30268, website georgiachildren.org/donate.

The family will receive friends at Wrens Baptist Church one hour prior to the service—from 10:00 – 12:00 P.M. Thursday, August 25, 2022.