Nila J, Frazier

Nila Collins Frazier, age 91, went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 18, 2012. The daughter of J.P. and Josephine Whatley, Nila was born August 2, 1920 in Bartow, FL. She was preceded in death by husbands, Rev. Lawrence Collins and Robert Frazier, son Wallace Collins and granddaughters Gigi Collins and Sandra Groover. She is survived by sons M.L. Collins (Earlene) and Bob Collins (Windy); daughters Evelyn McClellan, Laura Hall Smith, Doris Tharp, Alice McCaleb (Bailey), Bonnie Strang (Fred), Sally Kendrick (Don) and Jane Gardner (David), 18 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, 45 great-great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Dot Whatley and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her "adopted" children, Joy and Brooke Mark, Billy Fletcher, Fred and Molly Egli and Ronnie and Donnie Medders. Nila was the cook at Breton's Restaurant in downtown Bartow for years. Judges have been known to dismiss court early for lunch on Wednesdays to get in line for Nila's chicken and dumplings and chicken and dressing. Nila also cooked for the Bartow Volunteer Fire Department and after she retired, hosted a Monday luncheon at her home each week. A celebration of Nila's life will be held on Monday, June 25th at Wildwood Baptist Church in Bartow at 11:00 A.M. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Donations may be made to the ALS Florida Chapter Attn: Walk to Defeat ALS 3242 Parkside Center Circle, Tampa, FL 33619 for the 2012 event Tampa Walk - Firewalkers in honor of Bonnie Strang, Niagara Falls, Ontario and Ronnie Medders, Ft. Meade, Fl or the Palliative care unit at the Lakeland Regional Hospital. Condolences may be made to the family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com