Ortha Mae Aldridge-Collins

Ortha Mae Aldridge-Collins, age 76 of Marion, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2020 at her home, surrounded by loving family. On April 16, 1944, she was born in Blaine, Kentucky, to the late Arrvile and Gladys Pauline (Blackburn) Kimbler, and on November 10, 1960, she married her first husband Richard L. Aldridge, who preceded her in death on January 28, 1983. She later married her second husband Harold Collins, who preceded her in death on March 14, 2014.

Ortha Mae was a 1979 graduate of Marion Harding High School, and she received her education as a dietary supervisor from Marion Technical College. She put her degree to use as a dietary manager at East Lawn Manor for over 20 years before working at the Multi-County Correctional Center. She helped to start the Crafty Ladies Club, and she was an avid sewer and crafter. She also enjoyed camping and swimming. She was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene as well as the League of Women Voters as a Republican. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and she was all about her grandbabies.

Above all, her life mission was to help unwed mothers get the jobs they needed to care for their children, and she made an incredible impact on the lives of so many women through her efforts.

She is survived by her daughter Tina Mae (George) Aldridge-Frazier of Marion; her step-children Janet Lee (Don) Aldridge-Perky of Colegrove, Ohio, Tom Hines of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Penny Elaine Aldridge-Lewis of Ironton, Ohio, Cindy Lou Aldridge-Wilson of Ironton, Ohio, Michael Collins of Marion, and Kevin (Debbie) Collins of Marion; her siblings Pauline (Fred) Moore of Xenia, Ohio, Chris (Frannie) Kimbler of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, Connia (Tom) Eicher of Ironton, Ohio, and Valerie (Tim) Collins of Ironton, Ohio; her grandchildren Richard Lee (Laine) Aldridge, Meggan (Jeff) Aldridge-Tiller, Jessica (Ashlee) Aldridge, Marcene Frazier ; her step-grandchildren Andrew (Stephanie) Bowman, Anthony Bowman, Crystal (Joe) Shiflett, Jennifer Hines, Jason Lewis, Shannon Lewis, Cameron Roach, Michael Collins, Jr., Tiffany Collins, Christine Collins, Cruz Collins, and many more; her sister-in-law Juanita Kimbler; her daughter-in-law Lisa Ballinger-Aldridge; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents Arrvile and Gladys Kimbler; her son Richard Lewis Aldridge, step-daughter, Cathy Judd; and her siblings Wallace (Elsie) Kimbler, Arrvile “Bimbo” Kimbler, Lois (Johnny) Lowe, Christine (David) Pennywitt, and Hayes Kimbler.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 23, 2020 from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Boyd-Born Funeral Home as well as on Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 10 am to 11 am, and only 20 people will be allowed inside the funeral home at one time. Graveside services will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 11:30 am at Grand Prairie Cemetery with burial to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY, 10016.

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