June 16, 2013
Date of Service: June 19, 2013
Interment Location: Garden of Freedom
Mr. Richard Jack Collins, age 80, of Elizabethton, TN passed away Sunday, June 16, 2013 in Hermitage Health Center following an extended illness. A native of Carter County, he was the son of the late O.B. “Shorty” and Anna Mae Guess Collins. Mr. Collins worked as a supervisor in the cutting department of East TN Undergarment for thirty-six years. He attended Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church and he was a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association. Richard enjoyed a life time of riding and training “trick” horses. He also looked forward to spending time with the many horse owners and friends who stopped by the barn everyday. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a nephew, Eric Collins. Survivors include his wife of sixty-one years, Nadine Collins, of the home; a brother, Gerald Wayne “Pete” Collins and his wife Millie, Elizabethton; his children and their spouses, Gary and Gail Collins, Johnson City, Larry and Trish Collins, Asheville, NC, Patricia and Larry Powell, Kim Sams and special friend Dave Sandora, David Collins and fiancé Shari and Dwight and Aylitta Collins, all of Elizabethton; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral service for Mr. Richard Jack Collins will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Rev. Larry Collins and Rev. Randy Johnson officiating. Eulogy will be given by David Collins. Music will be under the direction of Clarence Sheffield and Joey Hilbert. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday prior to the funeral service or at the residence at any time. Graveside service and interment will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, June 19, 2013 in Happy Valley Memorial Park with Rev. Ronnie Edwards officiating. Active pallbearers will be Don Merritt, Larry Powell, Dave Sandora, Freddie Julian, John Wayne Collins, Jonathan Collins and Roy Ball. Honorary pallbearers will be Ron Merritt, Steve Markland, Keith Carr, Keith Ingram, Eston and Nell Treadway, Jerry and Ann Carr, Jerry and Irene Reed, Paul Sellers, John and Noreen Allen, Ricky and Rita Darnell, Randy and Nancy, Kayo and Betty Gentry, Carl Roberson, Clarence Sheffield, Charles Morton, Dr. Robert and Beth Grindstaff and the many horse owners and friends that he loved to “loafer” with. Everyone will meet at the funeral home at 9:15 A.M. on Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Hermitage Health Center for their loving care of Mr. Collins. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church, Project Vision Building Fund, 1503 Riverview Drive, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Collins family. Office: 423-542-2232, Obituary line: 423-543-4917.