Betty Lucille Gilbert Collins Hale

MINNEOLA, KANSAS – Betty Lucille Collins Hale, 93, died peacefully Friday, May 2, 2025, at her granddaughter’s home in Gans, Oklahoma.

She was born April 18, 1932, in Twin Bridges, Missouri, the daughter of Riley and Mary Lora (Tooley) Gilbert. She graduated from high school in Willow Springs, Missouri, and moved to Minneola in 1966. She married Richard Collins on August 16, 1951. He preceded her in death on April 25, 2000. After Richard’s death she found love again at 75 years old and married Sonny Hale on September 5, 2008, in Dodge City. He preceded her in death on July 21, 2016.

She was a CNA at the Minneola District Hospital for over 30 years. She loved her job and caring for patients, and especially enjoyed rocking babies. After her retirement, she volunteered at the Minneola Public Library and Minneola Long Term Care, where she met her friend Helen Swisher, who remained dear to her heart until the end.

Survivors include: her daughter, Cathy Yates, Gans, OK; her sister, Josie McDowell, and husband Max, Minneola, KS. 7 grandchildren Cathy Burnett and husband Ray, Gans, OK, Christy Taber and husband Billy, Gans, OK, Rick Conway, Scott City, KS, Justin Payne and wife Lori, Canfield, Ohio, Denise Conway, Farmington, New Mexico, Ashley Johnson and husband Phillip, Muldrow, Oklahoma and Curtis Winsor and wife Janiene, Junction City, Kansas; 19 great grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, 3 children, Linda Collins, David Collins, and Dennis Collins, 4 brothers, Olen, Leo, Raymond, and Howard Gilbert, and two sisters, Opaline Gilbert and Opal Pierce.

Funeral service will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Minnis Mortuary, Minneola, with Pastor Suzie Woods officiating. Burial will follow in Appleton Township Cemetery south of Minneola. Visitation will be on Wednesday, 5:00 – 7:00 PM

The family suggests memorials be sent to St. Jude’s

Condolences may be sent to www.minnismortuary.net.

Pallbearers Ray Burnett, Philip Johnson, Robert McDowell, and Billy Taber

Honorary pallbearers: Max McDowell, Justin Payne, Rick Conway, Curtis Winsor, and her great-grandchildren