Hallit Elizabeth Collins (Coburn), 77, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026, in Ponca City.

Hallit was born on August 9, 1949, and was the daughter of Bertha Coburn and Odessor Speight. A lifelong member of the Ponca City community, Hallit built a life centered around family, service, laughter, and unconditional love. She was a proud alumna of Attucks Separate School and a graduate of Ponca City High School.

Hallit was married to the love of her life, Fred D. Collins Jr., for 50 years. Her beloved husband preceded her in death in 2016.

Hallit's employment history began at St. Joseph Medical Center in Ponca City, where she worked in housekeeping. She later found her true calling working with children through Ponca City Public Schools. Hallit dedicated 28 years to the school system as a teacher assistant. She served at Jefferson Elementary for two years, Garfield Elementary for 24 years, and Washington Elementary for two years before retiring in 2008.

Children naturally gravitated toward Hallit. Her beautiful smile, warm personality, and inviting spirit made her especially well-suited to working with young people. She had a special gift for making children feel loved, welcomed, and cared for, and she excelled in her role as a teacher assistant.

Hallit was also deeply committed to serving her community. She was a member of The Newcomers of Ponca City and generously gave her time as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She also served as a CASA Volunteer, advocating for and supporting children in need. Her willingness to give of herself reflected the compassion, kindness, and caring spirit she showed throughout her life.

Above all else, Hallit was deeply devoted to her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. She spent much of her free time attending their sporting events and school programs, celebrating their accomplishments, and caring for those she loved. She provided unwavering and unconditional love and support to her family.

She is survived by her four children: Pernethia Collins of Ponca City; Tamara Reed of Georgia; Fred Collins III, lovingly known as "Tink," and his wife Laura of Norman, Oklahoma; and Markesha "Kesha" Collins-Duggan and her husband Ben of Ponca City, Oklahoma.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Tatiana and her husband Levi Cordes of Enid; Jeroid Johnson Jr. and his wife Nikki of Bartlesville; Ethan Collins; Hallee Gilliard; Dru and her husband Perry Olsen of Oklahoma City; Fred Douglas Collins IV, lovingly known as "Dougie"; Tamia Reed, Tyanna Reed, Cameron Collins and Jordan Collins

Hallit was blessed with four great-grandchildren, Caden Cordes, Lincoln Cordes, Dylan Cordes, and Noa Olsen.

She is also survived by her brothers, Herbert Speight and Raymond Speight, both of Ponca City, and her sister, Eula Haley of Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Hallit was preceded in death by her husband, Fred D. Collins Jr.; her mother, Bertha Coburn; and her father, Odessor Speight.

Hallit enjoyed the simple things in life that brought joy to those around her. She loved plants and flowers and enjoyed spending time planting and caring for them. She especially enjoyed drinking coffee on her back patio, surrounded by the things she loved.

She enjoyed going to the show and watching movies and built an extensive collection of DVDs over the years. Hallit loved playing board games, especially Sorry! although she was well known for creating her own rules most of the time.

Music was another great love in Hallit's life. She enjoyed all genres of music, and her home was often filled with music, laughter, and the sounds of family gathered together. Her love of laughter and her joyful spirit made her home a place where people felt welcomed.

One of Hallit's favorite traditions was enthusiastically yelling "Boomer Sooner!" at local parades while riding along with the family on their Sooner Wagon.

Of all her accomplishments, Hallit was proudest of the family she built and loved. Her four children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest treasures. She devoted her life to encouraging them, supporting them, celebrating them, and loving them without condition.

Hallit will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her welcoming spirit, her laughter, her love of music, flowers, family gatherings, coffee on the patio, and her ability to make those around her feel special. She will also be remembered for her dedication to children, her commitment to her community, and the generosity with which she gave her time and love to others.

Her legacy will live on through the generations of family she loved so deeply the children whose lives she touched, and the countless people she served throughout her years in Ponca City.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered. Visitation will be at Grace Memorial Thursday September 10th 5:00 -7:00 P.M. Memorial Services will be at Newpoint Church on Friday September 11th at 2:00 P.M.