Betty Jean James Collins was born August 11, 1952, in Choctaw County Alabama. She was the daughter of the late Tom James and Louise Bolden James. Betty Jean accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. She attended Lisman School.

On June 23, 2025, she departed this life, and now she is at peace with God. Betty worked at Oscar Mayer Company in Chicago. She moved back to Alabama with her family whom she loved. Betty loved children, dancing, playing cards, and cooking. She had a big heart. When you visit her in the nursing home, Betty would be so happy, with a big smile on her face. When you did something or brought her a gift, she always said thank you.

Betty Jean was married to Elder Preston Collins, who preceded her in death; she was also preceded in death by her parents: Tom James and Louise Bolder James; two sisters: Lula Mae White and Christine Hall; three brothers: LeRoy Dees, Sonny James, W.J. James; two nephews: Christopher Lenell White and Ricky Campbell.

She leaves to cherish her memory, one sister: Ethel Hall of Chicago, Illinois; one brother: Jimmie Fitch of Chicago, Illinois; four nephews: Charles Sanchase White (Ashely) of Tuscaloosa, AL; Maurice Dees, Anthony Campbell, and William Campbell Jr., of Chicago, Illinois; two nieces: Gentry Louise Dees and Tatiana Dees, both of Chicago, Illinois; stepdaughters: Patricia Ross of Detroit, MI, Rose Harbin of Bessemer, AL, and Josephine Spear, Killeen, TX; stepsons: Calvin Collins of Meridian, MS, and Anthony Collins of Butter, AL; special cousin, Sarita Richardson of Butler, AL, who looked after and made sure she was taken care of; and a host of great nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.