Merlena K. (Nash) Collins, 79, of Chesterfield, passed away at her home on Jan. 29, 2022.

Merlena was born on Aug. 5, 1942, in Anderson, to Robert E. and Sylvia L. (Stout) Nash. She married her loving husband, William C. Collins on March 4, 1972, and were married 41 years before his passing in 2013.

Merlena had the most important job of all, she was a homemaker. She loved to crochet and garden, especially her rose bushes. Merlena loved to shop at Goodwill and listen to Elvis Presley. She also enjoyed Corvettes and owned one in her younger years.

Merlena will be dearly missed by her children, Troy Collins, Ty Collins, Chastity (James) Aynes, Wendy (Kenny) Farlee, and Tiffany (Robert "Bobby" Hudson) Travis; her grandchildren, Xavier and Lanae Collins, Austin (Marlena Cox), Dawson, Ethan, and Sari Aynes, Ashley and Boomer Wallace, Sara and Daniel Farlee, and Hayley and Lilly Travis; her niece, Barb Spicer; her "bestest" friend, Jackie (Heater) Parson; and several nieces and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William; her brothers, Kent and Jeff Nash; and her niece, Heather Nash.

A graveside ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at Anderson Memorial Park, 6805 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd., Anderson, IN 46013. Following the burial, a Celebration of Life will be at the New Life Church of the Nazarene, 3615 Raible Ave., Anderson, from 2 to 7 p.m.

To post online condolences, please visit www.brownbutzdiedring.com.