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Life story

" Alexis Jay Collins, 60, of Spotsylvania, VA went to be with the Lord on September 24, 2024 at home surrounded by family. She was born on November 12, 1963 on Fort Belvoir, VA to Jon Collins and the late Karen Collins. Alexis was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She was known for her quick wit, spontaneity, authentic laugh, unyielding determination, and unwavering love for her family.

Alexis was known for her adventurous spirit and love for breaking the rules. One of her high school escapades took her on an unforgettable cross-country road trip. During this trip, she slept under the Wyoming star-studded sky, hiked the Grand Canyon, saw the Bee Gees in Las Vegas, sunbathed in Malibu, climbed the Rocky Mountains, and drove to Tijuana. She continued traveling the world until the end of her life.

Alexis had a passion for learning, and proudly became the first person in her family to receive a college degree, a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Bluefield University. After raising her children, she became a contract specialist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, VA, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Her greatest achievement in life was raising her two daughters as a single mother and providing them a Christian upbringing and education. She enjoyed being a mother and passing down traditions such as: playing Christmas carols on her organ, making Hungarian Kolacky cookies, watching Fourth of July fireworks on the National Mall, swimming in the ocean at Virginia Beach, and hiking the Hawksbill Summit Trail in Shenandoah National Park.

Despite being diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 53 and enduring years of treatments, she kept a positive outlook on life and made every day count.

She is survived by her father Jon Collins; daughters Jacquelene (Whelchel) D’Amico and Kristen Ashley Whelchel; three granddaughters; siblings Jon Collins Jr., Karen (Collins) Chambers, Kevin Collins, and Mary Ann (Collins) Perkins; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Her vivacious spirit will forever remain in our hearts; and her resilience will continue to inspire all who have known her.

A service to celebrate Alexis’ life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Goshen Baptist Church in Spotsylvania, VA, followed by a small reception.

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