Eleanor Collins Parents, Husband Richard Collins: Children and Family Explored Latest, Eleanor Collins was a celebrated Canadian jazz singer, actor, and television host. She was born on November 21, 1919, in Edmonton, Alberta, to Richard Ellis Proctor and Estella Mae Cowan Proctor. Her parents were part of a group of Black settlers who migrated from Oklahoma to Canada in the early 20th century. Eleanor was the eldest of their four children.
Eleanor Collins was married to Richard Collins in 1942, and they remained together for seven decades until Richard’s passing in 2012. The couple had four children: Rick, Judith, Barry, and Tom Collins. In 1948, they relocated to Burnaby, British Columbia, where they were the only Black family in the area, prompting neighbors to initiate an unsuccessful petition to prevent them from moving in. Despite the initial hostility, the family thrived and became an integral part of the community.
Eleanor Collins’ Early Life and Parents
Eleanor Collins was born as Elnora Ruth Proctor on November 21, 1919, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Her parents, Richard Ellis Proctor and Estella Mae Cowan Proctor, were part of a wave of Black settlers who migrated from Oklahoma to Canada in the early 20th century.
Richard Ellis Proctor was born in 1882 in the Oklahoma Territory, which was then part of the United States. He was the son of a former slave, and his family moved to Canada in 1911 to escape the racial discrimination and segregation in the US. Estella Mae Cowan Proctor was born in 1892 in Kansas, and her family also moved to Canada for the same reasons.
Eleanor Collins was the youngest of six children. Her father was a barber and her mother was a homemaker. The family lived in a small house in Edmonton, and they were one of the few Black families in the area. Despite the challenges of growing up in a predominantly white community, Eleanor’s parents instilled in her a love of music and a strong work ethic.
From a young age, Eleanor showed a talent for singing and performing. She sang in her church choir and performed at local events. Her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion for music, and she began taking voice lessons when she was just 12 years old.
Eleanor’s early life was marked by both struggle and resilience. She faced discrimination and racism throughout her childhood, but her parents’ support and her own determination helped her overcome these obstacles and become a successful musician and performer.
Eleanor and Richard Collins: Marriage and Children
Richard Collins: His Life and Career
Eleanor Collins was married to Richard Collins, who was a prominent businessman and community leader. Richard Collins was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1919, and was of African American descent. He was a veteran of World War II, and after the war, he worked as a train porter for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Later, he became a successful entrepreneur, owning and managing several businesses in the Vancouver area.
Their Children: Personal and Professional Endeavors
Eleanor and Richard Collins had four children: Rick, Judith, Barry, and Tom Collins. Their children went on to have successful careers in various fields. Rick Collins became a lawyer and a judge, while Judith Collins pursued a career in education. Barry Collins became a musician, and Tom Collins became a film producer. The Collins family was known for their artistic and cultural contributions to the community.
Extended Family and Legacy
Eleanor Collins was the daughter of Richard Ellis Proctor and Estella Mae Cowan Proctor, who were part of a wave of Black settlers who migrated from Oklahoma to Canada in the early 20th century. The Proctor family was involved in the civil rights movement in Canada, and Eleanor Collins continued this legacy of activism throughout her life. She was a prominent jazz singer and television host, and was known as Canada’s First Lady of Jazz. The legacy of the Collins family continues to inspire future generations of artists and activists.
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