He was preceded in death by his wife,  Ann Smith Collins, and his son, Donald Stephen Collins.

He is survived by his daughters, Beverly C. Flippo ( Carter ) of Doswell, Virginia and Kim C. Johnson ( Mike) of Jackson, NC.; grandchildren Brittany and Emily Flippo, Mason and Claire Collins, Lauren Ashley Collins, Lauren Hasty and Brad Johnson; 2 great-grandsons, Aubrey and Hunter Hasty; brother, Ben F. Collins of Greensboro, NC. and many nieces and nephews.

He served as Seaman 1st classman on the USS Gunston Hall in the Pacific area during WWII. After being honorably discharged from the military, he completed his education in broadcasting at RPI in Richmond, VA in 1947.  

He spent the next 41 years as a broadcaster and the sales manager at WEVA in Emporia. During the early 70’s, he spent much time lay-ministering in the prisons or filling in at local pulpits.

In 1987, he decided to retire from radio and pursue his real passion, the ministry. In 1988, he completed his coursework at Duke University to be ordained as a minister within the United Methodist Church.  

He became the minister of 3 small churches in Dinwiddie County on June 16, 1988. Oak Grove UMC, one of these 3 churches, became his passion and he spent 19 years ministering there until his retirement in 2007.  

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, at Oak Grove United Methodist Church with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service in the Collins Building Social Hall.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 12715 Acorn Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805.

Owen Funeral Home, Jarratt, VA is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.owenfh.com.