Audrey Geraldine Collis

On March 12, 1930, Arnold Drake and Nell Garren Drake had a redheaded baby girl named Audrey Geraldine Drake. Arnold’s family were all gifted musicians. When they gathered for music night, they would say “Dance Little Red”. Later Nell married Charlie Howard. Geraldine was in the 1949 graduating class at HHS. In 1948 she met Charles Stepp. They danced on Connemara Farm Square Dance Team. Winning the Apple Festival Dance contest, the team won a trip to 1949 Chicago Railroad Fair. The team came home as the National First Place Winner. That trip was also their honeymoon. Geraldine married J.D. Collis in 1967. Geraldine and J.D. were active with the Marion Moose Lodge Saturday night dances before moving to Crossville, TN where she danced with the likes of Archie Campbell, Chet Atkins, Little Jimmie Dickens, and many others through Fairfield Glade Resort Golf Events. In early 2000, Geraldine met Phil Mace at a dance. They quickly became dancing and life partners. They led the Monday night square dances until Phil died in 2014. In her late 80’s and early 90’s she always hitting the floor when music came on. She passed Oct. 23rd at Elizabeth House. She was preceded in death by parents, husbands, and by sons Pat Stepp, John Collis and Charles Collis; cousins Mary Hoots and Elizabeth Ellington, who were like sisters. Survived by daughters Sharon Stepp (Linda) and Judy Koon. Son, Jeff Collis (Carisa). Grandchildren Carmen Burdette, Sarah Collis, Dean Collis, Andrew Collis, Angela Collis Enriquez, Graham Collis, Reiley Ledoux, Gillian Ledoux, Amy Matthews and Dustin Rice. Great Grandchildren, Harper Collis and Jack Collis.

A funeral service will be at six o’clock on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at the Church Street Funeral & Cremation Home Chapel with the Reverend Shannon Spencer officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.