Helen Collins

Helen Deloris (Miller) Collins was born June 25, 1929 in Pawnee, Oklahoma to Herchel and Lucille Miller. She was the mother of Ricky, Randy, Bobby, Shari, and Tari. She passed from this life on Sunday, June 16, 2019 in Pawnee, Oklahoma having reached the age of 89 years old.
Helen learned at a very young age the importance of hard work. She would often tell her grandchildren about her early childhood days spent helping her father and grandfather with their family business. When she was young she would ride in a covered wagon to the blacksmith shop with her grandpa. She told everyone in the family she learned 3 things at the blacksmith shop and that was to spit, whittle and cuss. She also spoke of growing up with her siblings and how much fun they would have together. She attended The Castle School in Pawnee for her education and was often referred to as the prettiest girl in school.
Helen owned and operated multiple cafes in Pawnee in her lifetime, The Blue Goose, The Coffee Cup, and The H&H. She enjoyed serving the people in her community and meeting new people that were passing through town whether it be for work or recreation. In 1967, she started her career at United Community Action Program and remained there for 44 years before retiring at the age of 81. Both during her working years and later in retirement, she enjoyed shopping, traveling the world, and going to dinner to visit with others. Helen’s passion was to help others. She never met a stranger and always loved spending time with her friends and family. She could most likely be found at one of her grandchildren’s many activities.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents Herchel and Lucille Miller, brother Sonny Miller, sister Anna Belle Knott, sister June Glenn, and son Rick Starnes. She is survived by her 2 sons, Randy Starnes and Bobby Starnes; 2 daughters Shari Moore and Tari Brewer, all of Pawnee, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, a number of other relatives, and many friends. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 21, 2019 at the Pawnee First Baptist Church in Pawnee, Oklahoma. Interment will be held at Highland Cemetery, Pawnee, Oklahoma.