Dec. 28, 1913 –

Feb. 21, 2012

The graveside funeral service for James Leonard Collins, 98, of Bainbridge, was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Eldorendo Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Thomas P. Long officiating, and full military honors provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard from Ft. Benning. Orion Lodge # 8 F. & A.M. provided Masonic Graveside Rites.

Mr. Collins was born Dec. 28, 1913, in Eldorendo, the son of Rema Franklin Collins and Elizabeth “Bessie” Matilda Thompson Collins. He died Friday, Feb. 24, 2012, at Memorial Hospital. He was a graduate of Pine Hill High School, Class of 1934 and was a retired Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, serving during World War II and Korean War.

Mr. Collins was a member of the Indian River Masonic Lodge #90 F. & A.M. in Titusville, Fla., and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and was a member of the Orlando, Fla., Scottish Rite Bodies. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Andersonville National Cemetery, where he rebuilt the stockade and help build the Cheaha State Park in Alabama. Mr. Collins was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene.

He was preceded in death by his two wives, Dolly Louise Todd Collins and Mary Louise Shiewe Collins.

Survivors include his sons, James E. Collins and his wife, Carolyn, of Castalian Springs, Tenn., and Charles E. Collins of Sorrento, Fla.; his grandson, Jeffery Collins and his wife, Samantha, of Castalian Springs; and his four great-granddaughters, Lexie Smith, Amanda Collins, Gabrielle Collins, and Hannah Collins.

Ivey Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.