Dea. McKinley Collins

McKinley Collins was born in Tennille, GA on May 10, 1938 and was the 7th of 11 to parents Fuchious and Imogene Collins. After relocating to Atlanta, GA as a young man, McKinley met and married the late Arvella (Branch), from this union three children were born: Kenneth Earl, Manuel Jerome and Stacey Bernard.

While making his mark in Atlanta, when McKinley wasn't working for the City of Atlanta, he became a master barber to provide a better life for his growing family and was a dedicated member to the First Cornith Baptist Church in northwest Atlanta.  On May 13, 1992, Mayor Maynard Jackson presented McKinley with a Certificate of Appreciation for his 31 years of service to the City of Atlanta.  Following his retirement from the City of Atlanta Watershed Department, McKinley moved back to a place of peace to be close to family and old friends in his forever home of Tennille, GA.  Following his return home, McKinley reunited with his childhood friend Ms. Lillie Thomas.
McKinley was a man of little talk and all about business.  Some things that brought McKinley pleasure were cutting hair at his barber shop located in Wrightsville & Harrison, working in his garden, riding his tractor, and most importantly serving as Deacon at Georgia and Smith Grove.  McKinley was a true family man and his sisters Charity, Christene and niece Jacquelyn Harris-Parham ensured he was well taken care of and never missed a meal.

McKinley was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.  The many lives he's touched will forever be a reminder of his integrity, dedication and unselfish service.
On Friday, November 17, 2023, McKinley Collins passed peacefully into eternal rest, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 11:00AM from the Georgia Grove Baptist Church, Tennille, GA. Interment followed from the Smith Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Tennille, GA. 

McKinley was preceded in death by his parents Fuchious and Imogene Collins; brothers Aurthor James Collins, Booker Thomas Collins and David Collins; sisters Jettie Delores Collins, Helen C. Tremble and Christene E. Harris and son Kenneth Earl Collins. Those left to cherish McKinley's precious memories and celebrate his legacy of life & love: devoted sons Manuel Jerome (Tonya) Collins of Tampa, FL and Stacey Bernard (Kennisha) Collins of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Oliver Collins of Luxembourg, Brandon Collins of Dallas, TX, Maya Collins of Houston, TX and Kenya Collins of Atlanta, GA; sister Charity Brown; brothers Jimmy Collins and Felton Collins.  He leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss him dearly.

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