OBITUARY: Rita Faye Collins

Rita Faye Claridy Collins passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the age of 71. Rita was at her daughter Elena’s home in Old Hickory, Tennessee, where she had lived for the past 4 years.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Clinton Rudolf Claridy and Velma Lois West Claridy; sisters Maggie Lewis, Shelby Jean Odum, Ruth Davis and Tammy Campbell; and brother Jerry Claridy.

Rita is survived by her children, Rita (Daniel) Ohlmann, Wendy Kelley, Elena (Jason) Thompson and Billy Villavicencio. Rita was affectionately known as “Nanny” by her beloved grandchildren Tyler Kelley, Madison Martin, Monna Thompson, Tanner Kelley, Joshua Ohlmann and Isaac Ohlmann; and great-grandchildren Alexandria Ohlmann and Emerson Ohlmann.

Rita is also survived by her sisters Linda Sells, Judy (Tommy) Kemp and Debbie Horn; her best friend of 65 years, Debbie Sue Beasley; many loving nieces, nephews, family and other friends; and her “grand-dog” Stella, who never left her side from the moment Rita moved in with her daughter.

Rita’s love for her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was like no other. She embraced her role as “Nanny” with great joy and was always there to cheer them on at sporting events, dance recitals and birthday parties.

She had many other passions in life – traveling, NFL football and the New England Patriots, the Boston Celtics, bowling, cornhole, gambling (mostly cards at the dining room table!) and oldies music. She also loved to curl up in front of the TV for favorite shows like The Golden Girls, The Rifleman, The Andy Griffith Show, anything on the Game Show Network, The Flintstones, and any movie that featured Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Rita loved life, loved people, and was known for her outgoing personality. She made friends wherever she went and never met a stranger. She never missed a chance to tell a joke, flirt, or jump onto the dance floor whenever the music moved her. She had a weakness for Sugar Daddy candies, which her children loved to tease her about.

Rita had a huge heart for children and often contributed to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. She would always say YES to buying Girl Scout Cookies, or anything a child was selling.

Visitation with the family will be on Friday, June 20, 2025, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Sellars Mt. Juliet, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, Rita requested that donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children: http://www.shrinerschildrens.org