Linda Lou Collins was born September 14, 1948 in Toledo Ohio to Francis & Gladys (Jones) Matzinger. When Linda was young her parents moved back to Sapulpa, Oklahoma to live near family. She attended Sapulpa schools her whole life and graduated in 1966. After graduation she moved to Texas to work for the Texas Rangers. There she grew close to some of her extended family members who remained a big part of her life.
On September 12, 1975 she married her high school classmate, James Lee Collins. To this union was born their precious daughter, Jamie Lin (Collins) Hallford.
Jamie was the light of their life and her mother’s world. She was extremely proud of her daughter and all of her accomplishments. Linda was the kind of mother who was always available to volunteer to whatever extracurricular activity Jamie was involved in. She was more than willing to accompany or chaperone any activity. Traveling with Jamie during her years of dance and performance provided a great opportunity for them to travel all over Mexico, Europe and the United States.
Linda always had a strong work ethic. This began at the age of 14 when she obtained a job through a family connection at Bartlett Collins Glass. Most of her career was spent at the IRS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development. There were even some fun jobs along the way as a wedding coordinator and a floral shop.
Family was always important to her so when her first grandchild, Joshua was born she knew it was time to retire! A few years later when Jackson was born Linda felt like she was her best Nana life!
Linda suffered from a stroke which led her to move in with Josh and Jamie. This gave her several years of family time. She was able to dote on her grandsons and often teased Josh that he was lucky to live with his mother-in-law. Always the jokster, Linda was a lot of fun to be around. Jamie, Josh, and the boys were always on the lookout for every opportunity to play a prank, tell a joke or make a pun.
Linda was a giver and had a servant’s heart. Many events and charities benefited from her gift. For forty-two years she has volunteered countless hours at St. Francis Hospital, serving in admissions, gift shop, lobby guard and the children’s hospital librarian. Other organizations she served were the American Kids, Lions Club, Sapulpa High School, Food Bank, Cattle Barons Ball, Salvation Army and Sapulpa Church of the Nazarene.
Linda was a lifelong member of the Sapulpa Church of the Nazarene where she and Jim gave many years of their life in service to the children’s ministry and church office. After becoming a Christian Linda felt called to giving her life in service to others. Working closely with her church she was able to give of her many talents and bless so many people that she encountered. If you knew Linda, she truly was the type of lady who would “Do anything for you”.
Linda met Jesus face to face the morning of August 9, 2023 peacefully at her home surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis & Gladys Matzinger, her mother-in-law, Louse Desmuke Matzinger and her husband, James Lee Collins. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Josh and Jamie, both grandsons, Joshua and Jackson Hallford and her close friend, Becky LaRue (Josh Hallford’s Mother).
Services were held at Sapulpa Church of the Nazarene, 302 S Elm, on Monday, August 14th. Her internment was in Green Hill Cemetery in Sapulpa.
