Wendell Lee Collins, 82, formerly of Chattanooga, passed away at his residence in Woodstock, Ga.
He attended Booker T. Washington School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University and a Master of Science from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. He retired from the Chattanooga Public School System and was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Wendell previously served as president of the Chattanooga Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters and was inducted into the African American Educator Hall of Fame. He was formerly chairman of the board of trustees at Thomkin Chapel AME Zion Church and was a member for 60 years.
Wendell was preceded in death by his father, Mr. John Collins and mother, Mrs. Viola Collins.
He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife Mrs. Inez Collins, daughter Wendy and son-in-law Winston Gandy, son Dell (Tolanda), grandsons, Winston, III, and Mark Anthony; granddaughters, Winshanai and Winbriel; half sister Eloise Redding, (Winterhaven, FL) brothers-in-law, James O. (Georgia Ruth) Bearden, Sr. (Huntsville, AL), and Addison J. Fields (Huntsville, AL), 3 nephews, 3 nieces and several cousins and a multitude of friends.
Mr. Collins will lie in state after noon on Friday, Oct. 12, at the funeral home. The Alpha Phi Alpha ceremony will take place on Friday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. immediately following the ceremony.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Ooltewah Cemetery at 8819 Ooltewah Cemetery Road.
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.