Mr. Ernest Collins

Mr. Ernest Collins

Mr. Ernest A. Collins, USAFR, age 93, of Lyons, died on Friday, July 9, 2021, at Memorial Health in Savannah after a brief illness. Mr. Collins was a native of Toombs County and lived there until he entered the Army Air Corp in 1945. He was a Radio Communications Specialist, a veteran of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam. During his military career, he was stationed around the world, including Iceland, Finland, Germany, Holland, England, Italy, and Turkey, and retired in 1971 after 26 years of service. Soon after his retirement, he returned to Lyons and worked at Federal Pacific and the Georgia Forestry Commission, and was a volunteer with the New Branch Fire Department. He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church for more than 28 years and was a former member of Hammond Baptist Church of Lyons. While at Fairview, he served as deacon, member of Bible Fellowship, Senior Saints, and was part of several other groups in the church. He was Door Greeter for Sunday and Wednesday services. He took over the role of sending get well and sympathy cards from the church after his wife passed away. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Treadwell Collins; his parents, Elzie Collins and Josie Collins; and 5 siblings, Lillian Shaw, J.D. Collins, Mary Frances Wright, Elton Collins, and Richard Collins.

Survivors include 1 daughter, Linda Collins Ricks and former husband Keith, and 1 grandson, Ryan K. Ricks, all of Soperton; 1 brother, Johnny Collins and wife Wanda of the Ohoopee Community; and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., in Fairview Baptist Church, with Pastor Glenn Russell officiating. Burial will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens with Military Honors. The family will receive friends at the church on Wednesday morning from 10:00 until just prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Fairview Baptist Church, 662 North State St., Lyons, GA 30436.

Ronald V. Hall

FUNERAL HOME

'Memories, of a Lifetime of Love'