Ernest R. "Bobby" Collins

Reidsville,

Mr. Ernest R. “Bobby” Collins was born July 28, 1935, to Ernest Collins, Sr. and Lois Kennedy Collins and passed away Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at his residence.  The Collins native had lived in Reidsville most of his life.  He started his career in the dry goods business many years ago under the tutlelage of Ms. Louella Phillips at Phillips Department Store.  Under Ms. Phillips’ watchful eye, Bobby learned the dry goods trade from the ground up.  Phillips Department Store eventually became Collins Department Store.  Collins Department Store was a mainstay in Reidsville for over 61 years.  He had served 11 years in the National Guard and at the time of his honorable discharge in 1964, he had reached the rank of Captain.

A lot of people in the community fondly remember Bobby as their mail carrier.  He traveled his mail route for over 20 years delivering all types of mail from the normal little letter to baby chicks.  He owned and operated Collins Carpets of Reidsville for 26 years.  Bobby stayed extremely active until the day of his death as the CEO of Collins Mobile Sales, Inc, Collins Well Drilling, Collins Holding Company and ELI Collins, LLC- all located in Reidsville.  He had major real estate holdings in Tattnall, Toombs, Candler, Evans, Liberty and Emanuel Counties.

Bobby had been a visible person in Tattnall County for many years. He served on First Citizens Bank’s Board of Directors from 1972 to 1991.  He was a member of the Tattnall County Industrial Authority, the Jaycees, and served on the Reidsville City Council.  On March 12, 2015, the Greater Tattnall Chamber of Commerce presented Bobby with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bobby was a former member and Sunday School Teacher of the Reidsville Baptist Church and was currently a member and Deacon of Rome Baptist Church.  He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Phillip Collins; and a sister, Betty Ruth Collins Coleman.

He is survived by his wife, Carmen Taylor Collins of Reidsville; children, Charles R. Collins of Reidsville, Carmen Collins-Dijan (Sime) of New York, Eli Clifton Collins and Savana Kennedy Collins both of Reidsville; four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends beginning at 6:00pm on Saturday from the Bradley B. Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory in Reidsville.  Funeral services will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, September 25, 2016 from the Reidsville Baptist Church with the Reverend Eddis Kirkland and Brother Jerry Strickland officiating.  Interment will follow in the Rome Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dan Bennett, John Cheney, Aldrick Hill, Jim Waters, Joe Waters, Jimmy Collins and James Seidling.

Memorials may be given to Rome Baptist Church or Pinewood Christian Academy Post Office Box 7, Bellville, GA 30414

Bradley B. Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Collins family.