Marion Wendell "Sonny" Collins, born in Tifton, GA, went to his Lord peacefully in his sleep at the age of 74 on Friday, March 20, 2020, at his home in Kingston Springs, TN. Sonny was an avid fisherman, having grown up in Brookfield, GA, known as a fishing paradise. A 1963 graduate of Tift County High School, Tifton, GA, he later received a BA from The Memphis Academy of Art, Memphis, TN. He was a US Navy veteran, having served as storekeeper on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La during the Vietnam War.
His career as an awarded commercial artist grew out of his visual ability to see the beauty in nature. A gifted handy-man/inventor, he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering. With his extensive knowledge of history, especially the Civil War era, he enjoyed travel and searching for relics with his metal detector. Always community-minded, he served as a Commissioner in Kingston Springs, TN from 1982-1985.
In his retirement, he continued to enjoy photography with his sister, Ann, and painting with The Chestnut Group to aide fundraising for Nashville's parks and historic sites. He loved his family and friends and was known for his quick wit, but he was always ready to help when he saw a need.
Predeceased by his parents, Roy G. and Bernice C. Collins, and an infant sister Peggy Jo Collins, of Tifton, GA, he leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Cynthia L. Collins; daughter Tanya Collins Maxwell (Shane) and grandson Jackson Liam Maxwell of Naples, FL; brother Jimmy W. Collins (Pat) of Rossville, GA; sister Ann Collins Merritt (Logan) of Asheville, NC; nephews Wayne Collins (Hanna) of Chattanooga, TN; Greg Collins (Alisa) of Chickamauga, GA; Mark Merritt (Heather), Brevard, NC; six great-nieces and -nephews; and scores of heartbroken extended family and friends.
His career as an awarded commercial artist grew out of his visual ability to see the beauty in nature. A gifted handy-man/inventor, he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering. With his extensive knowledge of history, especially the Civil War era, he enjoyed travel and searching for relics with his metal detector. Always community-minded, he served as a Commissioner in Kingston Springs, TN from 1982-1985.
In his retirement, he continued to enjoy photography with his sister, Ann, and painting with The Chestnut Group to aide fundraising for Nashville's parks and historic sites. He loved his family and friends and was known for his quick wit, but he was always ready to help when he saw a need.
Predeceased by his parents, Roy G. and Bernice C. Collins, and an infant sister Peggy Jo Collins, of Tifton, GA, he leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Cynthia L. Collins; daughter Tanya Collins Maxwell (Shane) and grandson Jackson Liam Maxwell of Naples, FL; brother Jimmy W. Collins (Pat) of Rossville, GA; sister Ann Collins Merritt (Logan) of Asheville, NC; nephews Wayne Collins (Hanna) of Chattanooga, TN; Greg Collins (Alisa) of Chickamauga, GA; Mark Merritt (Heather), Brevard, NC; six great-nieces and -nephews; and scores of heartbroken extended family and friends.
Marion Wendell "Sonny" Collins, born in Tifton, GA, went to his Lord peacefully in his sleep at the age of 74 on Friday, March 20, 2020, at his home in Kingston Springs, TN. Sonny was an avid fisherman, having grown up in Brookfield, GA, known as a fishing paradise. A 1963 graduate of Tift County High School, Tifton, GA, he later received a BA from The Memphis Academy of Art, Memphis, TN. He was a US Navy veteran, having served as storekeeper on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La during the Vietnam War.
His career as an awarded commercial artist grew out of his visual ability to see the beauty in nature. A gifted handy-man/inventor, he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering. With his extensive knowledge of history, especially the Civil War era, he enjoyed travel and searching for relics with his metal detector. Always community-minded, he served as a Commissioner in Kingston Springs, TN from 1982-1985.
In his retirement, he continued to enjoy photography with his sister, Ann, and painting with The Chestnut Group to aide fundraising for Nashville's parks and historic sites. He loved his family and friends and was known for his quick wit, but he was always ready to help when he saw a need.
Predeceased by his parents, Roy G. and Bernice C. Collins, and an infant sister Peggy Jo Collins, of Tifton, GA, he leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Cynthia L. Collins; daughter Tanya Collins Maxwell (Shane) and grandson Jackson Liam Maxwell of Naples, FL; brother Jimmy W. Collins (Pat) of Rossville, GA; sister Ann Collins Merritt (Logan) of Asheville, NC; nephews Wayne Collins (Hanna) of Chattanooga, TN; Greg Collins (Alisa) of Chickamauga, GA; Mark Merritt (Heather), Brevard, NC; six great-nieces and -nephews; and scores of heartbroken extended family and friends.
His career as an awarded commercial artist grew out of his visual ability to see the beauty in nature. A gifted handy-man/inventor, he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering. With his extensive knowledge of history, especially the Civil War era, he enjoyed travel and searching for relics with his metal detector. Always community-minded, he served as a Commissioner in Kingston Springs, TN from 1982-1985.
In his retirement, he continued to enjoy photography with his sister, Ann, and painting with The Chestnut Group to aide fundraising for Nashville's parks and historic sites. He loved his family and friends and was known for his quick wit, but he was always ready to help when he saw a need.
Predeceased by his parents, Roy G. and Bernice C. Collins, and an infant sister Peggy Jo Collins, of Tifton, GA, he leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Cynthia L. Collins; daughter Tanya Collins Maxwell (Shane) and grandson Jackson Liam Maxwell of Naples, FL; brother Jimmy W. Collins (Pat) of Rossville, GA; sister Ann Collins Merritt (Logan) of Asheville, NC; nephews Wayne Collins (Hanna) of Chattanooga, TN; Greg Collins (Alisa) of Chickamauga, GA; Mark Merritt (Heather), Brevard, NC; six great-nieces and -nephews; and scores of heartbroken extended family and friends.
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