Rev. Don Collins

A celebration of life for Rev. Don Collins, 72 of Carthage, Texas will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 31, 2011 at First Baptist Church in Carthage with Dr. Allen Tilley and Rev. Ryan Burchett officiating. Burial will follow in Beuna Vista Cemetery in Timpson under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Family visitation will be Wednesday, March 30, 2011 from 6 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Bro. Don went home to be with his Lord on Monday, March 28, 2011 in Longview, Texas. Rev. Floyd Donald Collins was born May 15, 1938 in Corsicana, Texas to Floyd Ezra and Elisabeth Pauline Rascoe Collins. He attended Corsicana schools graduating with the class of 1955. Don continued his education at Jacksonville College and then Stephen F. Austin State University receiving a Bachelor of Arts and then obtained his Masters from Abilene Christian University. While at Jacksonville College, and pastoring Beuna Vista Church, Don met Linda Jo Ross, whom he later married on August 4, 1960. Together they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Bro. Don spent his early years ministering churches throughout Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. He served as president of Jacksonville College from 1984 – 1988. He then served in the BMAA Department of Missions from 1981 – 1984 as Director of Interstate Missions and then again from 1988- 2002 as the Executive Director of Missions. He was presently serving as pastor to the senior adults at First Baptist Church in Carthage. A member of the Carthage Rotary Club, Bro. Don served as Past President. He enjoyed Tuesday 42 with his friends at First Baptist and watching his grandson Michael play sports and hearing his grandson, Ryan preach. Bro. Don was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents W. P. and Clara Rascoe. Bro. Don is survived by his loving wife Linda Collins of Carthage; son, Gary Wayne Collins and wife Leslie of Heath; daughter, Donna Burchett and husband Jim of Timpson; grandchildren, Ryan Burchett and wife Lindsie of Lubbock, Natalie Tamez of Heath, Michael Burchett of Carthage, Morgan Tamez of Heath; mother-in-law, Lois Ross, and brother-in-law, Mike Ross both of Timpson, numerous nieces and a host of friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Ryan Burchett, Michael Burchett, James Medley, Michael Smith, Kyle Callaway and Max Cleaver.

Tributes

Rev. Don Collins

May 15, 1938 - March 28, 2011