Russell Vernard Collins, Jr.

Russell Vernard Collins, Jr., 86, of Pope, MS, passed away Friday evening at Tri-Lakes Medical Center in Batesville, MS. Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at Wells Funeral Home with Mr. Dan Beardian and Mr. Michael Bates officiating. Interment to follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Pope, MS. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Mr. Collins was born May 1. 1925 in Memphis, TN to the late, Russel V. Collins, Sr. and Mable Bridges Collins. He was a member of Enid Church of Christ and worked for 44 years at NAPA in Memphis, TN. He also served his country in the U. S. Navy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Randy Lee Collins; daughter, Patricia Collins Sandifer; sister, Myrtle Collins Thompson; and granddaughter, Leigh Anne Horton. Mr. Collins is survived by his wife of 67 years, Louise Deaton Collins of Pope, MS; daughter, Brenda Collins Dixon of Pope, MS; grandchildren, Jeff Mitchell, Michael Barbee, Ashley Hendricks, Brad Mason, Joe Mason, Katy White, Stephanie Anthony and Joshua Collins; 19 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Michael Sims, Danny Deaton, Matthew Hendricks, Kenneth Rowland, Larry McCachern and B. D. Dubois. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Allen Weiss, Hal Johnson, Steve Deaton, B. J. Sewell, Hayden Creswell, Larry Deaton, William Hollinsgworth, Johnny Deaton and Buddy Kiinhl. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; 501 Saint Jude Place; Memphis, TN 38105.