Obituary of Maxine V Collins

Evangelist Maxine V. Collins, was born on February 5, 1922, to Albert & Lola Vaden in Okmulgee, OK. She is the second oldest of six children. At the age of 5 months old, her parents moved to Kansas City, MO. This is where she was reared and received public education. She attended Dunbar Elementary School, R.T. Coles Junior High and finally Lincoln High School. At the age of seventeen, she rededicated her life to God along with her Father in a revival conducted by Evangelist R. A. Bacy. When she turned 21 she moved to Bakersfield, California. Evangelist Collins would later assist Chief Bishop O.V. Hall and his wife Sis. Anna Hall-Whitney in organizing the Fresno church. It soon became one of the most productive churches on the west coast. In 1945 she would return to Kansas City, MO and moved her immediate family to Bakersfield, CA. In June 1947, Evangelist Collins married Deacon Henry Floyd Kirkland, Sr. In July of 1954 a Sunday School was formed at the home of Sis. Marie Bass with Evangelist Collins presiding. She also started the young choir called "Little Buds of Promise". Evangelist Collins and Deacon Kirkland would commute from Fresno to Sacramento until 1955 where a regular service was established. It was October of 1955 when Evangelist Collins was appointed the first female pastor of the brotherhood for the Church of the Living God. She would continue working in ministry which expanded from Fresno, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Yuba City, CA. The church in Yuba City would later join with Temple #210 in Sacramento. In 1968 her husband Deacon Henry Floyd Kirkland was called home to the Lord. While continuing on her journey of ministry she met and married the late Vice Chief Isaiah C. Collins in 1972 at the 80th National Convention in Phoenix, AZ. Chief F.C. Scott conducted the wedding. She moved to Detroit, Michigan and remained there for approximately six years. There, Evangelist Collins wrote the most powerful song "Wonderful Jesus". They moved back to Sacramento to continue a life of ministry. In 1979 - 1985 she pastored Temple#16 in Oakland, CA. In 1997 her soul mate was called home to the Lord. Evangelist Collins continued to be a vital part of the Church of the Living God for many years. She held many positions within the church of the Living God (C.W.F.F.) such as; Secretary, Assistant Superintendent of Sunday Schools, National Musician 43 years, Choir Member, and National President of the Women's Work Auxiliary 1985- 1997. She also worked for the government at McClellan Air Force Base, UC Davis, and Department of Motor Vehicles. Evangelist Maxine V. Collins was truly a Proverbs 31 woman. She is preceded in death by her parents; Albert and Lola Vaden, 4 siblings Juanita, Albert, Willie, and Lorene Vaden. Her first husband Henry Floyd Kirkland, Sr.; 8 step-children; 2nd husband Vice Chief Isaiah C. Collins. She leaves to cherish her memory, son Herbert Vaden of Sacramento, CA. ; Stepson Henry Floyd "Kirk" Kirkland, Jr. of Fresno, CA; granddaughter Crystal Howe of Lebanon, MO; 2 great grandchildren, Isaiah and Danessa Howe of Lebanon, MO; sister Frances Johns of Sacramento, CA., as well as nieces, nephews and her many God-daughters & Sons, relatives and friends