Betty A. Collins Rust, well-respected businesswoman
Betty A. Collins Rust, 90, of Millsboro, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Betty was born Jan. 5, 1935, to the late Noah James and Georgia Collins. She worked as a nurse’s aide in Salisbury, Md., before meeting the love of her life, Everett Rust, March 10, 1955, and marrying him Sept. 1, 1955.
She and Everett worked alongside in their general store in Millsboro. As a well-respected businesswoman, she cherished her interaction with the public and obtained many close friends during her tenure. She retired from the store business in 2000 but continued managing the bookkeeping for their multiple businesses. Betty loved going to Lake B & E on the family farm, where she enjoyed watching the wildlife.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her five brothers, Paul, Carmel, Floyd, Robert and Donald; her three sisters, Elsie Boyce, Darlene Collins and Carol Murray; sister-in-law, Jerone Rust; sister-in-law, Haddie Parsons and her husband Bob; brother-in-law, Donald Rust; sister-in-law, Nancy Rust; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alfred Lee Rust Jr. and Laura. She is survived by her loving husband of 69 ½ years, Everett; daughter, Donna Moore; son, Mark Rust and his wife Tammy; daughter, Bonnie Daisey and her husband Chris; grandson, Justin Rust; granddaughter, Jaclyn Rust; and two great-grandsons, Andy and Jasper Rust. She is also survived by her fur grandbabies, Buckwheat, Mandy and Kerby; a brother, Gerald Collins and his wife Dorothy; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Collins, June Collins and Barbara Rust; brothers-in-law, Melvin Rust and his wife Barbara, and Dale Rust and his wife Rachel; and many nieces and nephews.
She will be fondly remembered as the matriarch of her family and missed by her many friends, family, and clientele. We would like to thank Dr. Thomas and his staff at Tunnell Cancer Center and Delaware Hospice Center for their compassionate care for Betty/Mom.
A viewing will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, March 29, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where a funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Millsboro Cemetery.
Contributions can be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or Oak Orchard Community Church, 32615 Oak Orchard Road, Millsboro, DE 19966.
Online condolences may be made by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
