Mr. Don J. Collins, 85, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at his home.
He was the son of the late Eston C. and Maxie C. Carrier Collins and was born in Carter County. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Mickey Charles Richardson and Serena Carol Richardson; and two brothers, Jerry Collins and Gary Kyle Collins.
Mr. Collins was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served in World War II. He was a retiree of North American Rayon Corporation following forty-three years of service.
He loved to garden, hunt and spending time with his family to whom he was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. He was a fan of the Lady Vols and the Atlanta Braves.
He was a member of the Watauga Valley Free Will Baptist Church.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Martha Omega Joines Collins, of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Dr. James L. Richardson, Elizabethton; three grandchildren, Donnie Richardson and his wife, Brenna, Chris Richardson and his wife, Shea, Charice Richardson, all of Elizabethton; two great-grandchildren, McKenna Richardson, Stephen Richardson, both of Elizabethton; a great-great granddaughter, Jordon Hillman, Johnson City; three sisters, Thelma Taylor, Lyndal Lowe and Phyllis Davis, all of Elizabethton; a brother and sister-in-law, Mack and June Collins, Elizabethton; a sister-in-law, Darlene Collins, Johnson City; and Tyler Salo, whom he treated like a grandson; one uncle and aunt, Gray and Norma Carriger, Kingsport. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Mr. Collins was blessed with two special friends, Leonard Lewis and Harold McQueen.
The funeral service for Mr. Collins will be conducted on Thursday, May 10th, at 8:00 PM with Rev. Bill Greer and Dr. James Richardson officiating.
The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel on Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM prior to the service or at the home, 108 Bill Lewis Road, Elizabethton, at other times.
The graveside service and interment will be conducted on Friday, May 11th, at 11:00 AM at Happy Valley Memorial Park with military honors to be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be Keith Williams, Eddie Lewis, Rick Collins, Wayne Davis, Kevin Collins, Sherrill Perry, Mike Lowe and Sherrill Carrier. Honorary pallbearers will be Keith Garland, J.C. Robinson, Clyde Tester, Vince Tester, Johnny Joines, Terry Tester, Ronnie Tester, Terry Collins, Raymond Perry, Richard Dunnigan, Tim Clemons, Jim Thomas, Earl Dykes, Ronnie Keller, Roy Richardson, Johnny Wilson, Herman Hodge, Lawrence Hodge, Roger Lewis, B.J. Colbaugh, Robert Calloway, Dr. Joe May, Eric Davis, Eddie Williams, Rick Williams and Larry Grindstaff. Everyone will meet at the funeral home at 10:15 AM on Friday to go in procession to the cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Mr. Collins’ caregivers: Sandra Ward, Lora Livingston, Anna Hensley, Carolyn Honeycutt, and to Mountain States Hospice for all the love and care shown to the Collins family. The family would also like to thank the Headed Home Singers for coming to the home to sing for Mr. Collins.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book or by fax 423 542-9499.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the family. Office 423 542-2232, Obituary line 543-4917.
