Virginia Rauton Collins, age 97, of the Ohoopee Community, died Friday, September 30, 2022, in Vidalia.  She was born on September 20, 1925, in the Rock Springs Community in Toombs County, and as a child moved to Stillmore.  She was a 1942 graduate of Lyons High School, later earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Master’s degree in Special Education from Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro.  Also, she earned a degree Theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  She began her teaching career in 1944 at New Branch School, then to other schools, including Twin City where she started the Special Education program, Oak Park, Lakeland, Georgia, Vidalia, and retired in 1979 after thirty-five years of teaching from Lyons Senior High.  She was a member of Georgia Retired Teachers Association.  She coached and referred men’s basketball, and was a den mother in Twin City.  She was a member of Stillmore Missionary Church, where she taught the adult Sunday school, and was Woman’s Missionary Union Director.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Clarice Rauton; and three brothers, J.W. Rauton, Harry Rauton, and Mel Rauton.

Her family includes her devoted daughter, Phyllis Collins of Ohoopee; one brother, El Rauton and wife Ann; sister-in-law, Phyllis Prather Rauton, all of Charleston, South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation by visiting their website at alz.org

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