Obituary of Ann Elizabeth D. COLLINS, Queen Anne Co., MD Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Cathy Downes [Cathy_Downes@msn.com] Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/md/mdfiles.htm ********************************************************* Obituary: Mrs. Ann Elizabeth D. Collins Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Downes Collins, wife of A.R. Collins, of Centreville and one of Queen Anne’s county’s most estimably and highly-esteemed women, active for many years in the Diocesan affairs of the Episcopal Church, died last Friday evening at twilight. Mrs. Collins had been in poor health for several years from diabetes, but grew seriously ill less than a week before her death. Descended from a long line of illustrious forebears in America and England, Mrs. Collins was a daughter of the late Richard Ezekiel Cooper Downes, of Church Hill, for many years one of the largest land-owners in Queen Anne’s county. Her mother was originally Miss Mira Williams, of London, who lived at Berkley Square in that city, and later of Philadelphia. George Downes, an officer in the American Revolution, and a great-great- grandfather of the deceased, was a member of the convention at Chestertown which gave the Episcopal Church its name and his brothers were the founders and incorporators of Caroline county. Mrs. Collins' ancestors were among the first wardens of St. Paul's Church, Centreville, and throughout her long and busy life she also, had given freely of her splendid ability, energy, and interest that the welfare of her church might continually be served. Born September 23, 1862, the deceased spent her early girlhood in Queen Anne’s and later was a student at the State Normal School. She spent her summers at the home of her uncle William Williams, of Bristol, Rhode Island. On November 16, 1892 she married Z.R.Collins, now associated with the firm of Wright & Collins, Centreville, then engaged in farming. Several weeks ago, surrounded by members of their devoted family, the observed their fortieth wedding anniversary with a dinner at the home of her daughter Mrs. Claude E. Truslow, at "Chesterside" near Chestertown. A woman of highest Christian ideals, a loving wife and mother and imbued with generously charitable impulses, Mrs. Collins held a warm place in the ture affection of innumerable friends and associates. Besides her husband, Mrs. Collins is survived by a son, Jackson Rosse Collins, of New York and Centreville; a daughter, Mrs. Claude E. Truslow, of Chestertown, and three grand-daughters, Mildred Elizabeth, Margaret Rosse and Nellie Collins Truslow. An only brother, Richard Austin Downes of Lanham, Prince George's County, died six months ago. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, at St. Paul's Church, Centreville, the Rev. Alward Chamberlaine, officiating. Interment was in Chesterfield Cemetery. The pallbearers were William S. Collins, R.H. Collins, Clayton Wright, H.B. W. Mitchell, Robert W. Thomas and Charles C. Hopper.