IN MEMORY OF
Margaret Elizabeth Johnson Collins-Gatson
05-26-1939 - 11-17-2023
Funeral Information
Location:
St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church
Date: 12-02-2023
Time: 11:00 AM
Time: 11:00 AM
Visitation Information
Location:
St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church
Date:
Time:
Time:
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Obituary
Margaret Elizabeth Johnson Collins-Gatson was born on May 26, 1939, in Miami, Florida. She was raised by her loving mother, Margaret Elizabeth Johnson, and stepfather, Conley Astor Johnson, Sr.
She began her Christian experience as a young child. Later in life Margaret would become a member of the illustrious and renowned Order of the Eastern Star. She continued her journey with the Lord as a faithful servant at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church of Miami, where she could be found performing ushering duties on any given Sunday, until she was called home by her heavenly father on November 17, 2023.
Margaret, also known as “Lil’ Margaret” or “Picayune”, received her early childhood education in Dade County public schools. She graduated from Booker T. Washington Senior High School, home of the Tornadoes, with the Class of 1957. Margaret began her work career at Dade Federal Savings and Loan as a cook, serving the bank’s staff with grace and unmatched integrity. Her talents would pivot her into her positions as a Miami-Dade public schools cook and later as a Miami Dade public schools bus attendant until her well-deserved retirement in 2003.
Family has always been the cornerstone of Margaret’s life. After marrying her high school sweetheart William Benjamin Collins, Margaret began creating a lasting legacy. Many years later she attended a party where as fate would have it she’d meet Richard “Toby” Gatson through an introduction made by one of her best friends, Jackie Sands. Richard says he was smitten by her sense of humor after he offered her a plate of raccoon and she swiftly replied, “I’m not eating that mess!” Although they didn’t share the same taste in culinary delicacies, they did share a love of travel, something they did together very often. Toby and Margaret’s union has been a beautiful love story that has stood the test of time for over 37 years.
Margaret was most known for her generosity. Her selflessness and gracious heart would be hallmarks throughout her life. Even as a senior she never hesitated to lend a helping hand to a friend, neighbor, or her fellow church members. Sister Gatson loved her church and her Pastor James Paulk. Every Sunday the children of the church could always expect a sweet treat from Sister Gatson. Sometimes she would even have a grab bag for the adults.
Margaret has always extended her home to family, friends, and sometimes friends of a friend. She was most popular for her long-time Christmas breakfast tradition, boiled fish and grits, her famous pigeon peas and rice, and sweet potato pies. You could call her anytime for a recipe and she would walk you through it step-by-step, then she would always call you after to see how it turned out. She was sweet, kind, loving, generous, selfless, and encouraging, but above all she was honest. Margaret was quick with the tongue and would get you in line, respectfully. And as she would say, “Hello!”
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Audrea Robinson; sister, Allyassae Johnson; brothers, William Johnson and Conley Johnson, Jr.; and lifelong friends, Grace Smith, Jackie Sands, and Mary “Aggie” Colson. Margaret leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband, Richard “Toby” Gatson; devoted children, Kim Collins, Craig Collins (Elizabeth), and Sabrina Flowers (Al); grandchildren, Rashad Collins (Dominique), Ashley Collins, Javonia Robinson, Andre Bethel, Thomas L. Flowers, Sr. (Sabeen), and Briana Flowers; nephews and honorary grandchildren, Dannie Young, Jr., Da’Von Young (Shavarity), and Darrelle Young; brother-in-law, Dannie Young, Sr.; eleven great-grandchildren; goddaughter, Sereatta Mitchell; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Others also dear to her heart include her son-in-law, Thomas E. Flowers; Andrea Jackson, Carleen Richardson, Patricia Myles, Theresa Green, Kenyetta Ah’Miracle Home, Alma Ross, Martha Townsley, and Rosalind Smith.
She began her Christian experience as a young child. Later in life Margaret would become a member of the illustrious and renowned Order of the Eastern Star. She continued her journey with the Lord as a faithful servant at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church of Miami, where she could be found performing ushering duties on any given Sunday, until she was called home by her heavenly father on November 17, 2023.
Margaret, also known as “Lil’ Margaret” or “Picayune”, received her early childhood education in Dade County public schools. She graduated from Booker T. Washington Senior High School, home of the Tornadoes, with the Class of 1957. Margaret began her work career at Dade Federal Savings and Loan as a cook, serving the bank’s staff with grace and unmatched integrity. Her talents would pivot her into her positions as a Miami-Dade public schools cook and later as a Miami Dade public schools bus attendant until her well-deserved retirement in 2003.
Family has always been the cornerstone of Margaret’s life. After marrying her high school sweetheart William Benjamin Collins, Margaret began creating a lasting legacy. Many years later she attended a party where as fate would have it she’d meet Richard “Toby” Gatson through an introduction made by one of her best friends, Jackie Sands. Richard says he was smitten by her sense of humor after he offered her a plate of raccoon and she swiftly replied, “I’m not eating that mess!” Although they didn’t share the same taste in culinary delicacies, they did share a love of travel, something they did together very often. Toby and Margaret’s union has been a beautiful love story that has stood the test of time for over 37 years.
Margaret was most known for her generosity. Her selflessness and gracious heart would be hallmarks throughout her life. Even as a senior she never hesitated to lend a helping hand to a friend, neighbor, or her fellow church members. Sister Gatson loved her church and her Pastor James Paulk. Every Sunday the children of the church could always expect a sweet treat from Sister Gatson. Sometimes she would even have a grab bag for the adults.
Margaret has always extended her home to family, friends, and sometimes friends of a friend. She was most popular for her long-time Christmas breakfast tradition, boiled fish and grits, her famous pigeon peas and rice, and sweet potato pies. You could call her anytime for a recipe and she would walk you through it step-by-step, then she would always call you after to see how it turned out. She was sweet, kind, loving, generous, selfless, and encouraging, but above all she was honest. Margaret was quick with the tongue and would get you in line, respectfully. And as she would say, “Hello!”
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Audrea Robinson; sister, Allyassae Johnson; brothers, William Johnson and Conley Johnson, Jr.; and lifelong friends, Grace Smith, Jackie Sands, and Mary “Aggie” Colson. Margaret leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband, Richard “Toby” Gatson; devoted children, Kim Collins, Craig Collins (Elizabeth), and Sabrina Flowers (Al); grandchildren, Rashad Collins (Dominique), Ashley Collins, Javonia Robinson, Andre Bethel, Thomas L. Flowers, Sr. (Sabeen), and Briana Flowers; nephews and honorary grandchildren, Dannie Young, Jr., Da’Von Young (Shavarity), and Darrelle Young; brother-in-law, Dannie Young, Sr.; eleven great-grandchildren; goddaughter, Sereatta Mitchell; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Others also dear to her heart include her son-in-law, Thomas E. Flowers; Andrea Jackson, Carleen Richardson, Patricia Myles, Theresa Green, Kenyetta Ah’Miracle Home, Alma Ross, Martha Townsley, and Rosalind Smith.