Larry Collins

Mr. Larry Collins age 74 of Maxton, North Carolina was born on June 10, 1946 to the late Mr. Lacy Collins and the late Mrs. Katie Lee Clark Collins in Robeson County, North Carolina. He departed this life into eternity on Sunday, February 07, 2021 at Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg, North Carolina. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by three brothers: Jerry Collins, Brent Collins and Carl Gene Collins.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 53 years Mrs. Sannie Collins of the home; two sons, Brian Collins and wife Carol, Dr. Paul Collins and his wife Penny all of Maxton, North Carolina; one brother, James Harold Collins of Maxton, North Carolina; three sisters: Beatrice Oxendine, Deloris McGirt, and Nancy Hamm all of Maxton, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Cierra Nicole Blackhorse, Christian Collins, Zachery Collins, Adam Collins, and Noah Collins, one great grandchild Atalie Reese Blackhorse, one goddaughter, Elizabeth Louise Locklear and a host of other relatives and friends.

There’s just one road which leads to freedom, salvation. Jesus said that “I am the way, the truth and the life.” We were there the day our father found salvation and in a very short time, our mother came to know Christ. Jesus said that, “you would know a tree by the fruit it bears.” Jesus knew that we would all be able to see the character of a person just by the life they lived.

 Life’s lessons are best taught by someone who lives a life worth mimicking. Brian and I had a father who was literally as tough as nails. Lacy and Katie raised all their children to exemplify the meaning of hard work and service. Our father’s life consisted of one challenge after another that he looked forward to conquering each day. I would tell my colleagues and friends that he was a mechanical genius and had he been offered the right educational opportunities; man would already be on Mars.

 Besides hard work it was his attitude of generosity and help to others which most embodied who he was as an individual. Over the years we were told by countless people, “boys you’ve got a good daddy.” They were absolutely right, we can recall situation after situation in which we saw him go out of his way to lend a helping hand. There is one thing that Brian and I also saw that many others didn’t see. We saw people take advantage of his generous nature, by means of unpaid service or some other negative manner. These same individuals would return and daddy would do what he could to help them and would often meet the same result of a one sided deal. After witnessing this several times I felt frustration along with resentment for the individuals involved and I commented that never would I help people who acted so dishonestly. Daddy never seemed to be bothered by this and just went on with life.

 We sat down one Sunday morning and he expressed that he strived to appreciate people as they were. He explained that every day started in prayer, he asked for God’s will to be done in his life. He prayed to be equipped with the knowledge, patience, and understanding as he interacted with people and situations. He went on to describe that his interaction with people was led by the Lord and it was the blessings that he already possessed of family, health and ability that was payment enough to sustain him on the path he was following. Hearing those words, offered greater understanding that it was faith, forgiveness, generosity and gratitude which were the 4 corners that he built his life upon. The greatest life lesson a father could have shared that Sunday morning.

 Larry Collins, Son, Husband, Father, Grand Father, Great Grand Father, God Father, Mechanic, Machinist, Engineer, Friend of the community, Deacon, and above all, Child of God. We will meet you again on the other side of Glory.

Viewing will be held 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Island Grove Baptist Church, 6045 NC -710, Pembroke, North Carolina. Due to Covid 19 Pandemic we ask that everyone abides by the CDC guidelines, wearing facial mask and social distancing. For the safety and protection of the family and all in attendance it will be a walk through viewing.  A Private Funeral Service will be conducted on February 11, 2021,  Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Island Grove Baptist Church.

Funeral Service for Deacon Larry Collins will be live streamed via Facebook, 2:00PM Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Island Grove Baptist Church, Pembroke, North Carolina. Please go to Island Grove Baptist Church, Facebook page.  

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