Promoted to Glory: Lt. Colonel Evangeline Collins

Lt. Colonel Evangeline Collins was Promoted To Glory on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the age of 84. Everyone in the family had been there the day before (Saturday), and her husband, Lt. Colonel William Collins reports: "What a blessing it was to have the family around; not knowing that she would be called to her Eternal Home the next day." On Sunday morning, about 8:30, she called to her William—he went in, and he held her in his arms and spoke a few words. It was then, while holding her, that the Lord called her Home. 

Evangeline Rose Lovegrove was born August 21, 1939, in Abertillery, Wales to George and Ruth Lovegrove, as they were officers serving overseas in India. Evangeline attended corps programs and lived with her parents in different parts of England until she was ten, at which time the family returned to America and she began attending schools in Richmond, Virginia. 

After graduation, Evangeline worked for a year and then attended Asbury College, earning a major in Christian Education and a minor in Greek. It was during an Asbury Band trip to the Atlanta Temple Corps, where she met William Collins. She received her calling from God to missionary service to Africa during a youth councils. She entered the training college in Chicago in 1961 as a member of the Servants Of Christ Session. Evangeline and William were married the day after her commissioning in June 1963. Her first appointment was to the training college staff as secretary to the principal. 

Following the birth of a daughter in 1964, they were sent to the Republic of the Congo, where they served for three terms: mission station head, William Booth College principal and Kazungula corps officer, and finally principal of the Salvation Army Institute in Kinshasa. 

They returned in 1974 to the USA Central Territory as corps officers at the Detroit Brightmoor Corps, and two years later were on the divisional staff of the Missouri-Kansas Division. 

They were transferred to the USA Southern Territory where they enjoyed four years at the Evangeline Booth College. Following that post, they were sent to Lago, Nigeria, Africa. 

Returning to the States, they served in Tupelo, Mississippi and Daytona Beach, Florida. They were on the National Capital Division staff when the call came from General Eva Burrows for the couple to return to the Congo Territory—their fourth and fifth missionary terms. They consider this the highlight of their officership, despite the political turmoil and revolution taking place there. 

Their final appointments were back in the Southland, at territorial headquarters, as assistant to the secretary of personnel, secretary for congress planning, and director of stewardship services. Their final appointments came in 1997, to the Adult Rehabilitation Centers Command. Lt. Colonels William and Evangeline Collins retired from active service on December 1, 2002, serving faithfully for over 45 years. They made their retirement home in Port Orange, Florida. 

Lt. Colonel Collins is survived by her husband of over 59 years, William; and daughters Melanie Owens and Angela Moller; as well as three grandchildren. 

There was public service held. Colonel William reports that "her wish was that people would place something in their garden as a remembrance of her." 

—Major Frank Duracher