Mrs. Tracey Danette Naylor-Collins' Obituary
Tracey Danette Naylor-Collins was full of energy and life. She loved being surrounded by family and friends, and frequently was the one planning events, organizing group outings, or playing hostess. She was big-hearted and the first one you called when you needed a favor. She loved her dogs -Desiree, a teacup Chihuahua; and Zoe, a toy poodle -and her big gray tabby cat Mr. Misty. She loved music and she was always singing, whether around the house, while driving, or while shopping for shoes and purses. She loved beautiful things; especially shoes and purses.
Tracey was born Friday, April 23, 1971 at University Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi to Emily Jean Naylor-Heam, who preceded her into eternity. She was the first grandchild of the late Robert Naylor, Sr. and Rebecca Hopkins Naylor. Her grandfather affectionately called her "pudding-pie," a nickname her grandmother hated. Tracey was short (as her cousins often liked to remind her), so much so that as an infant her Aunt Doris Lynn Naylor-Steverson would place Tracey in a carrier on kitchen table while she prepared meals.
Tracey entered eternal rest on Saturday, February 17, 2018, the day after her beloved Aunt Lynn. She joined the fellowship of New Prospect Baptist Church of Savoy under the pastorate of the late Rev. Clinton Whitlock. She was pianist for the Sunday School and taught Vacation Bible School. Tracey was a 1989 graduate of Meridian High School and she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Jackson State University. Early in her freshman year, she met the love of her life, Tony DeAndre Collins of Clarksdale, Mississippi. Tracey and Tony were married at New Prospect shortly after graduation and they soon became the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy they named Joshua DeAndre.
Tracey began her professional career as a corporate customer support specialist for Mobilcomm in Jackson. In July 2001, the family relocated to the Birmingham, Alabama area, where Tracey soon landed a position with Wachovia Bank, which was later merged into Wells Fargo. She was most recently an officer in the bank's mortgage restructuring unit. After relocating to Birmingham, Tracey became a member of Lilly Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Rev. James F. Brooks. Tracey and Tony relocated to the Houston, Texas area in late 2014. She leaves behind to celebrate her life and preserve her memory:
Her husband, Tony D. Collins of Houston, Texas, and son Joshua D. Collins of Jackson, Mississippi. Her "little sister," Michele A. Naylor ofBirmingham, Alabama (whom she named). Her father, L J Williams, sister Karen Williams Adams (Adrian) and brother D'Anta Williams (Bernadine), all of Jackson, Mississippi. Her uncles: Robert Naylor Jr. of Jersey City, N.J. (of whom she often referred as her dad); the Rev. Donald R. Naylor, Sr. (Vivian); and David E. Naylor, Sr. (Christine) of Meridian. Her in-laws, Larry Outlaw and Bertha Collins of Clarksdale, Miss. Her much-loved first cousins (whom she often called her brothers and sisters) Donald R. Naylor, Jr. (Denise) of Houston; the Rev. Adrian B. Naylor of Birmingham; Erin D. Steverson of Texarkana, Texas; Apryl D. Steverson of Meridian; Khaleah M. Naylor of Jackson; Courtney Bourrage (Lyntressa) of Meridian; and David E. Naylor, Jr. of Meridian. Her "babies," as she referred to her younger cousins, Tevrin Jackson and Ryan Steverson of Texarkana; Courtney Bourrage, Jr., and Caleb Bourrage of Meridian; and Donald B. Naylor and Douglas B. Naylor of Houston. Her Great Aunt Bessie K. Hopkins of Meridian, and many other dearly loved cousins and friends.
Her paternal grandparents J.W. Williams and Emma Williams, preceded her in death.
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