Eugene Collins

Chief Eugene Collins, Sr., 89, of Paris died Thursday, August 11, 2022, at AHC Paris Healthcare.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at Rawls Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in TN State Veterans Cemetery Parkers Crossroads.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Chief Eugene Collins, Sr. was born on February 23, 1933, in Milledgeville, GA to the late Ernest and Eva Mae Collins. He attended and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Milledgeville, GA. He received a football scholarship to Fort Valley College and later enlisted in the United States Air Force. He eventually transferred and continued to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. There he served for 20 years and retired as a Chief Petty Officer (Rank E7).

During his time in the Navy, Chief Collins served on navy ships as a Chief Intrumentman. He received many awards and certificates of recognition. He was even presented with a Letter of Appreciation from the Commanding Officer, Service School Command, Navy Training Center. After retiring from the Navy, he continued to work as a civilian at Great Lakes Navy Base in North Chicago, IL for 25 additional years.

Eugene Collins, Sr. was a family man. He enjoyed taking road trips to visit his mother and other family members. He would oftentimes take his children and grandchildren to Disney World just so that he could watch them enjoy themselves. But his favorite pastime was watching football and old western movies. He would make frequent phone calls to his sons during the football season to discuss the games. He also enjoyed getting together with his brothers Earnest Collins, Jr. and Euris Preston, who preceded him in death, and his surviving brother, Gene Hayden, Jr.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his devoted wife, Ola Mae Collins; his two sons from a previous marriage, Eugene Collins, Jr. (Shirlene) and Rickie Collins (Beverly); a bonus daughter, Antoinette Jarrett (4 kids); two stepdaughters, Dr. Debra Dunston and Tammy Martin; five grandchildren, Shiwandah, Kristen, Brian, Theresa, and La’Keshia; 6 great-grandchildren, Madisyn, MaKayla, Briera, Tiyanna, Kodi, and Bella; and a host of family and friends.

Rawls Funeral Home - Paris 731-642-1515