Josie Avitt

Return to Class of 1964

Josie Avitt02/05/2010
Josiann Noel (Avitt) Collins, was born on June 28, 1946, on the family farm near Chariton, Iowa, the daughter of Shalmer Lynn and Argentine (Giourd) Avitt.

She graduated from Knoxville High School in 1964. She attended Indian Hills Community College and Buena Vista College where she received her teaching degree.

On February 8, 1964, she was united in marriage to Larry Collins at the Christian Church in Knoxville, IA. After their marriage, they made their home in Keswick, IA, and had one son Timothy.

Josie worked for the Keokuk County Home in Sigourney, IA for a year, at Amana Refrigeration for 19 years, before becoming an adult education specialist for SIEDA Headstart in Ottumwa, IA, and for the last year, she was a grant writer and curriculum coordinator for SIEDA Headstart. She was a past member of the Keswick Ladies Aide. She loved to teach, cook, do ceramics, work with her flowers, and do children’s ministry.

Josie died on Friday, February 5, 2010, at her home in Keswick, IA. She is survived by her husband Larry of Keswick, IA; a son Timothy (Betty) Collins of Cleveland, MS; 3 grandchildren- Lauren Ashley, Taylor, and Rebecca Collins all of Cleveland, MS; her parents Shalmer & Argentine Avitt of Knoxville; 2 brothers: Bernie Avitt and Robert Avitt both of Knoxville, IA; and her dogs Scooby, Little Bit and Reno.Josie Avitt
Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, at the Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North English, IA. Rev. John Tunnicliff will officiate. Burial will be in the Sorden Cemetery, near Keswick, IA.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-7 PM at the Powell Funeral Home in North English, IA. A general memorial fund has been established.

Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.