Michelle Lyn (Morris) Collins was born July 30, 1969, in Texarkana, Texas at St. Francis Hospital to Donna Aton-Smith and Travis Dwayn Morris, weighing 8lbs 6 oz. She passed away September 1, 2016 at 3:38 p.m. in Springfield, MO.

She attended elementary school in Garland, Texas and was part of the founding class at Rampart Range High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She loved camping, hiking and skiing the mountains near their home, but returned to Tyler, Texas and graduated in 1987 from Robert E. Lee High School. There she was active in marching band, pursued modeling, and enjoyed sailing. After graduation, she moved with her mother, Donna and extended family to Virginia. Working for Nations Bank, she was promoted quickly but eventually moved to be with family in Springfield, Missouri in 2000.

In 2003, Michelle was baptized at High Street Baptist Church and in 2004 was united in marriage to Douglas E. Collins, formerly of West Plains, Missouri. They were married for twelve wonderful years.

Most recently, Michelle was a member of Crossway Baptist Church in Springfield and a dedicated voice in the choir.

Michelle won numerous awards for her needlepoint creations. Traveling, camping, and holiday decorating were other passions she enjoyed. Most of all, Michelle's courage, Christian faith, and the love she had for family and friends is what she will be most remembered for. To those who knew her she was a true confidant!

Michelle was preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Maude Johnson of Highlandville; grandmother, Chloe Aton and her father, Travis Dwayn Morris, both of Durant, OK; and her aunt, Janelle Tate of Springfield, MO.

She is survived by her husband of 12 years, Douglas E. Collins; mother, Dawn Aton-Smith; brother, Dana Mark May Smith, all of Springfield, MO; sister, Sherie Denise Myles; niece, Katherine Keyworth; great-niece, Angelina May; nephew, Jeremiah Coborosado, all of Lynchburg, VA; uncle, Jim Aton of Willard; cousins, David Tate of Springfield; and Suzie Crossno of Neosho, MO.

Visitation will be held at Crossway Baptist Church in Springfield from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2016, with a potluck dinner in remembrance to follow.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 10, 2016 in Sweeton Pond Cemetery, Dora, MO, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at Great Southern Bank in Michelle's name.