Lula Frances (Tipton) Collins

Lula Frances Tipton Collins, 83, of Mt. Sterling, died Sunday, March 13, 2016, at her residence.  She was born October 12, 1932, in Montgomery County to the late Whitney Hord II and Mary Frances Anderson Tipton.

Lula was a Montgomery County native and a member of the Ascension Episcopal Church. Lula graduated from Mt. Sterling High School in 1950. She attended Morehead State University and the University of Kentucky.

Lula's working career was with the Federal Government, beginning in 1953 at the Lexington Army Depot.  She retired in 1988 with twenty-two years of service as a contracting officer's representative at the Lexington Activity, overseeing the Government Owned Contractor Operated facility, better known as GOCO.  She also worked for the Marines, Navy and Air Force at the General Electric plant under the direction of Wright Patterson AFB.  Lula was appointed Contracting Officer in 1982 by the Department of Defense.

Lula was an artist and entrepreneur. She was an accomplished painter and pianist.  She opened Collins' Paints and Papers on Main Street in Mt. Sterling and ran a successful business for many years.

Lula was known for her adventurous and fiery spirit, her wit and intellect, her talent and independence.  She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include; one son, Stephen Whitney Collins (Wilma) of Berea; one daughter, Cherie D. Collins of Malden, Massachusetts and Mt. Sterling, Kentucky; three grandchildren, Stephen W. Collins II (Stacy) of Winchester, Ashley Collins of Lexington, and Sandra Savage (Tim), both of Lexington; one great grandchild, Sawyer Clay Collins of Winchester; one brother, Whitley Hord Tipton III (Nina Hatfield) of Florida; three sisters, Lida Craft (Joe) of Hebron, Kentucky, Mary Farris (Fred) of Winchester and Josie Sheldon of Mt. Sterling.