Robert Neal Collins

Mr. Robert Neal Collins, Sr., age 85, of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at his home following a several months illness. Mr. Collins was born Thursday, March 17, 1921 in Union County, Georgia to the late Francis Thurman Collins and the late Mary Viola Collins. A lifelong resident of this area, he was a member of Choestoe Baptist Church, where he was a deacon for over 50 years. Mr. Collins was retired from the U.S. Air Force, where he was a pilot, and served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1970, as a Major. Mr. Collins was professor of mathematics at both Young Harris College and Union County High School. Mr. Collins was a Certified Flight Instructor, and taught many people in the North Georgia Area to fly; He was also a farmer and an avid golfer. He was preceded in death by by his parents, and two brothers, Cecil W. Collins and James T. Collins.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby Rogers Collins; son and daughter-n-law and grandchildren: Robert Neal Collins, Jr. and Michelle A. Collins, and Jessica A. Collins and Christina V. Collins, of Blairsville; daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Rehnee Dyer and Larry E. Dyer, Sr., of Marietta; Larry E. Dyer, Jr., and Nicholas C. Dyer, of Marietta; Michele D. Williams and Kelly D. Cantrell, of Gainesville, Georgia; son and daughter-in-law, and grandchildren: Joseph R. Collins, Colleen H. Collins, Alexander Joseph Collins and Emma Grace Collins, all of Blairsville; Sisters: Mrs. Hazel Clary, of Blairsville; Mrs. M. Catherine Fortenberry, of Ault, Colorado; and Mrs. Betty J. Lawrence, of Destin, Florida. Many othre relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 11:00 AM from the Choestoe Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Zollinger, Rev. Richard "Dick" Stillwell, and Rev. B.A. Buchanan officiating. The body will lie instate at the church starting at 10:30 AM. The eulogy will be presented by Mr. Clyde Collins. Music will be provided by Martha Collins, Jo Mosley and Michele Collins, and The Choestoe Baptist Church Choir. Graveside services will follow in Choestoe Baptist Cemetery with Rev. Troy Acree presiding, with military graveside honors being presented by North Georgia Honor Guard. Serving as pallbearers are the following gentlemen: William Akins, Fred Woodward, Joe Lawrence, and Curtis Saunders. Honorary pallbearers will include Choestoe Baptist Church Deacons.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-9, Friday, March 16.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Choestoe Baptist Church Building Fund..

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, Georgia.