Sylvia Ann Collins, 86, of Portsmouth, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Courtyard Assisted Living in Wheelersburg. She was born on November 30, 1939, in Portsmouth, a daughter of the late Evelyn Calloway Charles and Alto Lee Byrd.
Sylvia graduated from Portsmouth High School, retired after 29 years as a Surgical Technician at the former Mercy Hospital, and retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation where she worked as a clerk for 20 years. She was a faithful member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, serving in the Card Ministry, as a Financial Assistant, Kitchen Coordinator, coordinator of the Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner, and as an Usher until her health declined.
Sylvia married Eugene Edward Collins, Sr. on July 16, 1960. They were married for 58 years before his passing on October 5, 2018.
She is survived by her son, Eugene Edward (Jewell) Collins, Jr., of Portsmouth; her daughter, Anita Maria Collins of Portsmouth; three grandchildren, Sophia Mount, Jaddah Conteh Kanu, and Len Michael Collins; three great-grandchildren, Franklin Harris, Gabe Harris and Alexandria Mount; and four siblings, Nelson Womack of Montclair, CA, Karen Heath of Dinwidde, VA, Barb Findlay of Pittsburg, PA, and Florence Charles of Atlanta, GA; and best friend of many years, Patricia Oliver.
Sylvia was also preceded in death by two brothers, Brady and Terry Charles.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Graveside services will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Memorial Burial Park, Wheelersburg, with Bishop Harold G. Bell officiating. Those wishing to attend this service must gather at the funeral home by 10:15 A.M. on Thursday for a procession to the cemetery.
The family acknowledges Courtyard Assisted Living, Heartland Hospice and Patricia Oliver for the excellent care given to Sylvia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 117 Market St., Portsmouth, OH 45662, and Ohio River Valley Type 1 Diabetes Assn., c/o Malissa Sarver, P.O. Box 357, Wheelersburg, OH 45694.
*Please take note that the cemetery will not permit individuals to enter the cemetery if they are not in an official procession the week of May 18-22, 2026. This is done for the protection of the cemetery staff as they prepare the grounds for Memorial Day.
