Barbara Jean Manning Collins

Barbara Jean Manning Collins, 88, of Clayhatchee, AL went to her eternal home on June 20, 2025. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, love, strength, and grace.

Bobbie, as she was affectionately known, was born in Mobile, AL on March 19, 1937, the daughter of Cecil Manning and Ophelia Shumock Manning.

She met her beloved husband, Richard, in 1951 when he winked at her during a Baker High School basketball game. He spent the next 62 years insisting she winked back, though she’d never admit to it. The facts of that matter will forever remain a mystery, but their deep love and commitment to one another was indisputable.

Bobbie’s strong will and resourcefulness were innate gifts, and she chose to apply them in service to those she loved. She provided a steady home for her two sons, Rick and Bruce, during Richard’s demanding career (and many deployments) as an Army helicopter pilot. To her family, she seemed capable of anything, whether that was repairing beloved stuffed animals, cooking elaborate holiday dinners, creating beautiful art, or once even using an axe to rescue a wayward bull while dressed in heels and pantyhose.

No matter what happened, you could rest assured that Bobbie would have a story to tell about it later. Her wit, dry humor and comedic timing will live on through the retelling of her greatest hits - the ones her grandchildren begged her to tell again and again.

Her family is grateful for the years of love she poured into them all. She never asked for the limelight, and she delighted in seeing those she loved shine. Her investment in her children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren was generous and priceless, and the impacts of her love will be felt for generations.

Today Bobbie is reunited in heaven with many of those she loved most, including her husband, Richard Collins; great granddaughter Samantha Calderon; parents, Cecil and Ophelia Manning; stepmother, Jessie Manning; brothers, Benford and Alvin Manning; and beloved aunt Lauree Manning Conway.

She will be lovingly remembered by countless friends and family members, including her two sons Rick (Tricia) and Bruce (Lucy) Collins; six grandchildren Jared Collins, Caitlin (Juan Izar-Tenorio) Collins, Ryan (Amanda) Collins, Jon (Jessica) Collins, Anna (Juan) Calderon, and Hayley (Elliott) Harper; six great-grandchildren; and sister Bonnie Manning Duncan.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Searcy Funeral Home & Crematory Chapel with Rev. Kevin Woodcock officiating.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 10:00 A.M until service time.  Burial will follow at First Baptist Church Level Plains Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home directing.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Gideons International or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, both of which were dear to Bobbie’s heart.