Kenneth "Rip" Burton Collins died recently.
He was born in Chattanooga on June 16, 1919, to James Bennett Collins, Sr. and Maggie Delzell. Ken served in the U.S. Navy for 7½ years during World War II. He was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church for 38 years, serving as a teacher of junior boys for 22 years, a deacon, and he was on the board of trustees of Tennessee Temple College. He was a member of Central Baptist, Crossville, Tn. for 10 years, served as deacon and in the prison ministry. Most recently was a member of South Seminole Baptist for 10 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, George Raymond who lived in California, and son, Daniel Lee.
Survivors are his wife of 71 years, Doris Horton Collins; sons, James R. (Sue), Joseph S. (Bev), daughter, Teena Collins Hill (Don); brother, J.B. Collins Jr. (Polly); sister, Betty Margaret Benton (Sam), Knoxville; grandchildren, Jeff Collins (Kim), Terri French, Debbie McAnally (John), Ken Vielhak, Clint Wilson (Brandy), stepgrandchildren, Angie Moore (John), Steve Wilson (wife, Deanna), 19 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Joy Collins and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 S. Moore Road, East Ridge, with Reverend Roland Smith, Reverend Ron Perry and Reverend Scott White officiating. Interment will be in the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Monday at 10 a.m.
Pallbearers include grandsons, Jeff Collins, Ken Vielhak, Clint Wilson, John McAnally, John Moore, Steve Wilson. Honorary pallbearers include Don Shockley, Bill Crabb, Howard and Bobby Shockley, Benny Collins, David Collins, and his Sunday School Class.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, Oct. 4, from 5-8 p.m..
Ken requested in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to S. Seminole Baptist, Central Baptist, Crossville, Tn., American Red Cross, Local Disaster Relief Fund, or the Community Kitchen Ministry.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanoogaeastchapel.com.
Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tn.