Funeral services will be Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., Westhaven Funeral Home Chapel, 3580 Robinson Street, Jackson, MS 39209 with burial in Autumn Woods Cemetery, 4000 W. Northside Drive, Jackson, MS 39209.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8 NIV

Belinda Collins was born in Shaw, MS on December 18, 1960 to Essie Lee Pennington and John Henry Collins.

She began her education at Oakland Wall Elementary School in Chicago, Il. A few years later, her family moved to Jackson, Mississippi where she continued her grade school education at Westside Elementary/Junior High School through 9th grade graduating from Forest Hill High School in 1979. She went on to attend Hinds Community College where she met some of her closest friends to this day.

Belinda’s first job was at community Nursing Home where she did an on the job training program to be a nurse/nurse’s assistant. She also worked at the MS State Veteran Nursing Home and the VA Medical Center. Belinda spent most of her working career as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CAN) at Pleasant Hill Community Living Center and Forest Hill Nursing Center. Her last job was working as a private caregiver to the matriarch of one her neighbors.’

Belinda ‘s most cherish, and lifelong job was being a mother to Essie Latrice Collins, born in 1986.

She was natural caregiver to all who crossed her path. She took care of her late grandmother, mother, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless children.

Belinda loved to talk to her family and friends, find new recipes to cook, and play games at her leisure. Her favorite place was anywhere on the dance floor doing all the old and new dance moves. She loved to celebrate every occasion, buying presents for all the birthdays, anniversaries holidays and accomplishments. Belinda was thoughtful and would always send an encouraging text to lift your day.

She knew who oversaw her life and how far God had brought her over the years, especially after she experience her first spell of illness. She was baptized at an early age at Greater Northside Missionary Baptist Church where she attended during her youth. When she was older, she would frequently visit Jackson Revival Center, Word of Life, and other neighborhood and community churches.

Belinda departed this life Tuesday, June 29, 2021, after becoming suddenly ill. She was preceded in death by her father John Henry Collins, grandparents, Mamie S. Curry, John Tarrance, brother, Kenneth Lamar Collins.

Belinda leaves to cherish her loving mother, Essie L. Pennington, her loving daughter, Dr. Essie Latrice Collins of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Betty Ann Colling Bracey of Jackson, Mississippi, Audrey Miller King (James) of Silver Springs, Maryland; two brothers, Gerard L. Collins of Jackson, Mississippi, Eric N. Collins of Houston, Texas, She will be missed dearly by her niece, Janay King of Silver Springs, Maryland; nephew, Everett Montel Bracey (Latasha) of Byram, Mississippi, Santore D. Bracey (Kimberly) of Memphis, Tennessee; great nieces, Aniya Bracey, Jamira Bracey, Kyla Harper, Bricelynn Bracey, Jhaiyde Jones, great nephews, Monterius Bracey, Isaiah Wolfe, Derrick Mosley, TaShawn Johnson, Maxwell Jones and one great-great niece, Journee Bracey and a host of aunts, cousins, and close friends.