The last of four children, Ray L. Timmons Collins was born June 26, 1937 to the late Kelly P. and Octavia Jones Timmons in the Webster Parish of Minden, Louisiana. She was a doting daughter, consistently expressing her love and admiration for her parents by instilling their values, sharing their stories, and continuing their legacy with the generations that followed until her earthly departure on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

Ray was educated in Webster Parish where she attended and graduated from Webster High School. In her youth, she was a member of Minden's Hopewell Baptist church where she accepted and committed her life to Christ at an early age.

In 1955 Ray relocated to Houston, Texas, embarking on a new life where she met and married James "Brother" Collins, and to that union one child was born. She would eventually become a dedicated employee of MD Anderson Hospital, where she served and developed lasting friendships until her retirement after 32 years of service

Ray was a dutiful member of Houston's Mount Hebron Baptist church for many years before joining The Historic St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where she became known as the "Candy Lady" and could consistently be found in her regular seat and ready to share from her Ziploc baggie of candy. This gave her great pleasure until she was unable to attend service in person. She remained a proud and supporting member until her heavenly transition, always voicing her love for her church and her pastor.

Affectionately known as "Aunt Ray", "Gran", "Ganny" and "Mom", Ray showed love, taught love, was and forever will be loved. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Robin Y. Collins (Eldridge); her grandchildren, Jhacole LeGrand-Dunn and Jarret Eldridge; grandson-in-law, Derrick Dunn; great-grandchildren, Jeffery Cole LeGrand and Jhoa Camille LeGrand; nieces and nephews, Sandra Timmons (Houston), Donald Timmons (Louisiana), and Leon P. Timmons, Jr. (California); great-nieces Jacquelyn LaNese Timmons and Monica "Toni" Mitchell, as well as a host of other family friends and loved ones.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Kelly P. Timmons and Octavia Jones Timmons; husband, James L. Collins; siblings, Leon P. Timmons, Sr., Flora D. Timmons (Luke), and Chester Timmons; as well as her niece and nephew, Geraldine Timmons and Anthony Timmons.