Rachel Joy Collins (née Bunker) 1846 - 1935

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The 6th of 9 children of Robert Bunker and Mira Dillingham, , Rachel was the three times great-aunt of Jay Hannah, was born in Salem, Henry, Co., Iowa on Apr 3, 1846 and married William Collins (with whom she had 7 children: Olive Eldora, Elma Elbertine "Bertie", Clara Ellen "Belle", Anna Pearl, George William, Emma Mae and Irvin Clifton) in Salem Twp, Henry Co., IA on Nov 7, 1867.

She died on Nov 11, 1935 in Salem, Henry Co., IA and was buried in Salem South Cemetery after Nov 11, 1935.

Parents

  1. Robert William was born on Feb 23, 1799
  2. Mira was born on Jun 30, 1809

Children

  1. Olive Eldora was born on Aug 10, 1868
  2. Elma Elbertine "Bertie" was born on Jun 18, 1871
  3. Clara Ellen "Belle" was born on Aug 20, 1873
  4. Anna Pearl was born on Nov 12, 1875
  5. George William was born on May 31, 1881
  6. Emma Mae was born on May 30, 1885
  7. Irvin Clifton was born on Feb 7, 1887

Notes

Salem News Feb. 27, 1913

MRS. WEEKS WRITES AGAIN

ED NEWS: - Since reading Levi Gregory's last letter I think I oughtto say that "Jinny Bob" was John Taylor of Charleston, Ia. that I livedby him as a neighbor, and that they were a nice family; the wife wasconfined to her bed for several years and he had a hard time.

Mr. Gregory was right about the curtain factory but I am right on theother one, that is, the shop never was on the spot that the Weeks housestands on; it was near it.

I think Mrs. McQuay's story was fine. I will tell you how a parrot waslost and found south of Salem, the story was told me by Rachel Bunker.Her father was riding through the woods when he heard a voice say"Father! Father!" and looked all around to see if a child was lost. Itrepeated the words and he looked up, as it sounded above him, and therewas the parrot. He coaxed it to him and took it home with him, and thereare those living that can tell you more about it than I can. I hopethatRachel Collins will tell how long it lived and some of its cute sayings.

Yes, the News is alright and I for one like the present managementbetter than any we ever had in Salem, and I think we ought to say thepleasant things before, not after people are dead. I like the lettersbest of all in the News, except the locals.

L. A. W.

Information on Pearl's children and grandchildren are from P.152, HenryCo. History 1982, Collins, Henry Beech, 3rd column.

Salem News August 31, 1916

JACKSON TWP.- Mrs. Rachel Collins visited her sister, Mrs. Frank Hannahrecently.

Salem News, November 21, 1935

MRS. RACHEL COLLINS

The funeral services for Mrs. Rachel Collins was held at Friends church,Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 1:30 p.m. and was attended by a large number offriends and relatives. The church was filled with those who knew andloved her most. Mrs. Collins was a woman of rare ability, possessing acheerfulness that was one of her outstanding qualities. Her home wasalways open to every one and those who visited her felt their time wellspent. The many beautiful flowers were placed near the casket with thoseof the family lying on the casket. The two songs, "City Four-square,"and "Going Down the Valley," were sung by the mix quartet, Mrs. Ray Doan,Mrs. R .P. Nicholson, Clayton Mills and Maynard Barber, with Mrs. ElbertBrown accompanying on the piano. Rev. Mrs. Bessie Collins read thescripture from 90th Psalm, after which she read a poem of Edgar Guest,"The Mother's Watch," which was fitting to the life of the deceased.Rev.Guy Hunting read the obituary and offered the prayer and the sermon,taken from Deut. 33:24 was given by Rev. G. L. Stanley of Indianola,whowas the pastor of Friends church and a close friend and neighbor of Mrs.Collins for he past five years. His subject was, "As thy Day so shallthy Strength Be." Following the services at the church, the body wastaken to the South cemetery for interment and the pallbearers weregrandsons of the deceased, Harry, Frank and Elbert Denney, Dale and JoeBarker, and Merle Head.

Rachel Joy Bunker Collins, daughter of Robert W. and Myra DillinghamBunker, was born at Salem, Henry county , Iowa April 3, 1846, departedthis life November 11, 1935, age 89 years, 7 mon. and 8 days.

With her parents she lived in Salem until five years of age. Thefamily then moved to Ackworth, Ia. where they lived until she was 17years of age, and she attended the schools and church of that place. Abirthright member of the Friends church, continuing in that fellowshipthrough life.

November 7, 1867 she was united in marriage with William Henry Collinsof Henry county, Iowa. They moved on a farm south and west of Lowell,Ia., and began housekeeping in a log cabin, enjoying together theblessings of an early pioneer life.

In the spring of 1882 they moved on a farm in Jackson township.

To this union was born seven children, three having passed away in earlychildhood. The children left to mourn her passing are Mrs. Elma E.Allen, Manhattan, Nevada; Mrs. Ellen Barker, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Mrs.Pearl Denney, Danville, Iowa, and Mrs. Mae Lund of Seattle, wash.;fourteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law,Rosa Bunker of Salem, Mrs. Alice Grub of Mt. Pleasant; and onebrother-in-law, Frank Hannah, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; nieces and nephewsanda host of friends.

In the spring of 1916 Mr. and Mrs. Collins moved into their new home inSalem. Since then she has lived in her quiet home to be a joy and afriend to all who knew her, especially to the young people her liferadiated to life's highest purpose in live. Second Samuel, 1st - 23rd,Lovely and pleasant in life.

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