Carolyn Bailey Collins, 88, died at her home in Fairfield, AL,
on Friday, July 28, 2023, after an extended illness. She was born on
October 14, 1934, in Columbia, SC, to the late Charles Bruce and
Blakie (Farmer) Bailey.

Carolyn accepted Christ at an early age. She attended and graduated
from Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia, SC; Spelman
College (BA) in Atlanta, GA; and the University of Alabama at
Birmingham (MACG) in Birmingham, AL.

Carolyn married Leland Rushin in 1956 and they settled in
Birmingham, AL. She was a loving wife and mother to two daughters,
Barbara and Betty. After 17 years of marriage, Leland passed away.
She later married William Collins and was a loving wife for 25 years
until his passing.

Carolyn taught English at Brighton High School and later transferred
to Shades Valley High School where she worked as a guidance
counselor until her retirement. Carolyn was active in the Birmingham
Chapter of the Spelman Alumnae Association and the Cultural Arts
Committee of Sixth Avenue Baptist Church. She was also an avid
Alabama Football fan.

She is survived by daughters, Barbara A. Rushin of Birmingham,
AL, and Betty A. Rushin-Daniels (Larry) of Gainesville, VA;
granddaughter, Leah Breck Daniels of Alexandria, VA; bonus
daughter, Angela Collins Butler (Joel) of Atlanta, GA; grandson,
Marcus Watts (Kaleena) of Trussville, AL; sister, Hazel Bailey Ray of
Massillon, OH; sister-in-law, Barbara Mims Bailey of Columbia, SC;
and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents and first husband, she was preceded in
death by her brother, Charles Bruce Bailey, Jr.