Bishop Janice Collins

Bishop Janice Marie Collins was born on May 25, 1955, in Northampton County, Virginia. She was born to Genesis R. Collins and the late Doris Elaine Rogers Wiggins, both of Northampton County, Virginia. She departed this life on March 23, 2022, after a lengthy illness. As a young child, she lived with her grandmother, Mary Rogers, until the age of five, when she moved to Baltimore, MD with her parents. She received her early education in the Baltimore City Public School System. She was a proud alumnus of Pimlico Junior High School and Northwestern Senior High School. In 1977, Bishop Collins received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Catonsville, MD where she served as the Class President her senior year. While attending UMBC, she established the New African Players Theatrical Group. She pursued additional classes at Morgan State University. She then furthered her studies in Theology. Bishop Collins acquired an internship in Broadcast Communications at WJZ TV, Baltimore, MD. She later worked at WEBB and WBGR Radio Stations in Marketing and Sales, Baltimore, MD. She moved on to work in community outreach in the Reservoir Hill area. Upon the death of her mother in 1993, She assumed management of her mom’s business, Doris’ House of Care, which included properties on Orleans Street, Edmondson Avenue and Ducatel Street. Bishop Collins’ spiritual journey began with her family at Saint John’s AME Church, Baltimore, MD. under the pastoral care of the late Pastor Benjamin Foust. She later joined the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc, in Baltimore, MD. The Chief Overseer, Rebecca Fletcher, was her longtime mentor and spiritual advisor until her passing. In 1997, Bishop Collins became very ill resulting in Septic Shock. While not expected to live, she survived her illness blessed by God’s Mercy and Grace. It was her testament that God so ordered her to go forth and teach “Only what you do for Christ will last.” With the vision God gave to her, she started her own ministry in the year 2000, “Take Me Higher Ministries Eagle’s Wings, Inc.”. Services were held in Randallstown, MD and the church later moved to Ducatel Street, Baltimore, MD. Bishop Collins and the church relocated to Sanford, Florida from 2004 through 2015. During her ministerial career, she conducted couples counseling, seminars, workshops and many speaking engagements, noting a six-week session at Coppin State University. She ministered to diverse congregations of many races and nationalities in both Maryland and Florida and was admired and loved by her parishioners. Bishop Collins returned to Baltimore, MD in 2015 as her health started to decline. She became a dialysis patient shortly after, requiring treatment three days a week. She referred to her treatments as “going to work”. Her illness did not prevent her from being the bubbly loving person that she always was. She quickly became the motivator for the other dialysis patients by encouraging and inspiring them. The staff and patients recognized her as a leader among the other dialysis patients at the clinic. Bishop Collins was larger than life to everyone that knew her. She had an infectious personality. She had a way of making everyone feel special as she would intimately call you “Baby”. Bishop Collins would light up the room when she entered. She enjoyed travelling and while home bound, watching cable programing. She would send you her favorite program listing and signoff, “Your Good Television Reporter by Missy Janice Collins”. She often advised her inner circle family and close friends by saying, “Baby, be kind to yourself”. Left to celebrate her legacy are: Father, Genesis R. Collins, Sr.; Elder Pastor Rhoda Robinson; Sharon Dickerson-Greene; Archbishop Jeremiah D. Fowler; Elizabeth Wiseman (Birdie); Sisters Mary Wiggins, Bowie, MD and Marie Collins, Baltimore, MD; Brother (Cousin) Calvin Rogers, Brothers Ibrahim Abdullah (Chaz), and Marcus Wiggins all of Maryland; Stepmother, Jacqueline Wiggins; Goddaughter, Anna Hough; Godsons, William Overbey (Marty) and Timothy Overbey; Cousins, Richelle Renee Rogers, Margaret Tyler, Carroll Webb, Lewis Rogers, Maritt Rogers, Michael Johnson, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Bishop Janice Collins

May 25, 1955 - March 23, 2022