Stella Mae Collins, 89, of Madison County, North Carolina, passed away on March 22, 2023.
Stella was born on February 26, 1934 to Ostie and Bernice Waldroup in Spring Creek, North Carolina. One of seven children, she grew up working hard on the family farm. Passionate about music from an early age, she taught herself to play the guitar, pick the banjo, and sing her favorite traditional and country songs.
In 1952, Stella married Roy Chesteen Roberts in Greenville, South Carolina. Stella and Chesteen had three children: Roy Gene Roberts (Judy), Rickey Dean Roberts, and Debra Ann Roberts Pettit (Chester).
In 1970, Stella married William (B.K.) Collins. Stella and B.K. had one son, Bentley “Benny” Collins (Lisa).
She was a grandmother to Tasha Pettit, Joshua Pettit, Erick Roberts, Ashley Roberts, Jason Roberts, Regina Roberts Kilgore, and Christopher Lightsey. She had 16 great-grandchildren, and one great, great-grandchild with another expected.
In addition to hard work and a passion for music, Stella was known for her authenticity. She was unapologetically herself in a time when conformity was standard. She could do anything a man could do, some would say better. She came from a tradition of storytelling and dearly loved to laugh. To this day, no one is quite sure if she really did wrestle alligators in Florida. She welcomed friends and family into her home with good food and a big hug. She could turn something simple into something beautiful. She was known for her dark black hair, striking blue eyes, and her sense of style. She was a feminist without ever setting the intention of being one.
Stella was predeceased by her parents, spouses, children: Debra and Rickey, and siblings: Billy, Carl, Paul, Velma, and Maggie.
She is survived by her sons and their wives: Roy and Judy Roberts, and Benny and Lisa Collins; daughter-in-law, Deanna Roberts; son-in-law, Chester Pettit; her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great, great-granddaughter; sister and brother-in-law, Inez and John Shetley; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will honor Stella’s life privately at a later date.
