April
3, 1926 - Dec. 24, 2009SOUTH BEND - Johnny Collins Sr. departed this life at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 24, 2009, in his home. Johnny Collins Sr. was born on April 3, 1926, in Sterlington, LA, to the late Ollie (Davenport) and Alex Collins. He was educated in Sterlington and then he joined the United States Army where he served as a corporal during World War II, receiving the WW II Victory Medal. In the early 1950s Johnny relocated to South Bend, IN, where he became a proud resident until his death. On February 18, 1954, he was united in marriage to Geraldine E. Luten, who preceded him in death on February 13, 1982. He was a member of Grace A.M.E. Zion Church where he remained faithful until his death. He worked at the former Studebaker and Cummings Foundry, and after their closing he worked for Muia and Sollitt Construction companies as a laborer. He then became a member of Local 654 Hod Carriers Laborers Union where he also served as Business Manager, making sure at that time that his sons had a pair of work boots and construction hat so they learned the value of hard work. He was a member of the Senior Men's Group of the Martin Luther King Center. Mr. Collins enjoyed working in his garden and sitting under his favorite shade tree dispensing words of wisdom and reciting biblical scripture to those in need of life guidance and encouragement. He will also be remembered for the tasty barbeque that he cooked on his custom-made double barrel grill that he would attach to the back of his truck and travel to requested venues and holiday events. Those left to cherish the memory of Johnny Collins Sr. are his sons, Lt. Col. (Ret.) George R. Collins of Alexandria, LA, Johnny Jr. (Marcia Denise) and Gregory L. (Toye) Collins of South Bend, IN; daughters, Ollie R. Perkins and Lillian A. Bracey of South Bend, IN; grandchildren, Tiffany R. (Darryl) Tubbs, Dennis L. Williams, Jerry D. (Tina) Bracey, Terrence D. (Nicole) Newman, Tois A. Jones, Carlton A., John T. and Justin L. Collins, Ch'Del E. Newman, Geralyn E. and Gilbert Bracey, Christopher M. and Erich W. Newman, Daiveon D. and Mariah L. Perkins; 17 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Walter (Cleo) Collins of Monroe, LA. He is also survived by his brother and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Della Luten and Annell Waters of South Bend, IN; special son-in-law and caregiver, Grady D. Perkins; special friends and neighbors, Verda M. Talton, Katie Turner, Angie Smith, Felix Owsley, Greer Walker, Gregory Wilder, Jimmy Tate and James Knight; and by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended relatives, who will miss him dearly and forever cherish his memory. Mr. Collins was preceded in death by his parents, Ollie and Alex Collins; his wife, Geraldine E. Collins; daughter, Bobby J. Collins; great-granddaughter, Leigha J. Jones; sisters, Velma Collins, Lizza Mae Baldwin and Eula Rowland; brothers, Willie Alvin (who raised Johnny and his siblings after their father's death), Ladell, George and Edward Collins; in-laws, Lillian and Lonnie Luten, Mary and LeRoy Stephens, Alexander Luten, George Baldwin, Lester Waters, Rosie Collins, Annie Collins and Alex Rowland. The family would like to express sincere thanks to Annette Dixon and Hospice of St. Joseph County for the excellent care given to our father in his last days. Visitation for Johnny Collins Sr. will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, from 6-8 p.m. in Clark O'Neal Funeral Home, and homegoing services will be at noon Wednesday, December 30, in Grace A.M.E. Zion Church, 1211 Vassar Street in South Bend, and his final resting place will be at Riverview Cemetery.