Gerald Rupert Collins, Sr

After a long and productive life, Gerald Rupert Collins passed away peacefully at his home at Brasstown Assisted Living in Hiawassee, GA, on September 6, 2011. He was 92 years old. Born October 13, 1918, at Round Peak, NC, he was the son of Alger Samson and Mattie Evie Jarrell Collins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Frances Smith Collins; and a daughter, Chrystal Collins. He was the manager of B&O Furniture Company in Mount Airy for 40 years. Gerald was a veteran of World War II, having served his country in the Navy as a Fighting Seabee in New Guinea, the Philippines, and other islands of the Pacific. Gerald became a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1945, and he served in 1950 as the commander of VFW Post 2019, Claude E. Hooker Post, as well as the commander of the VFW District 11 in 1952 and a VFW state department officer in 1958, 1959, and 1960. He served for 30 years as a director of the Veterans Memorial Park. A Masonic past master at the time of his death, Gerald served in 1960 as the master of Granite Masonic Lodge #322 AF and AM in Mount Airy. He was a member of the Mount Airy Friends Church. Gerald also served 30 years as a member of the Franklin School Board, president of the Franklin Alumni Association, Franklin Ruritan Club, and Franklin Rural Development. Gerald is survived by his children, Deborah Lea Collins, who resides in Charlotte, NC, and Gerald R. Collins, Jr. and his wife, Sherry Reece Collins, who resides in Murphy, NC; three grandchildren, Emily Ferrell Kelly and her husband, Todd Kelly, who resides in Cincinnati, OH, Josh Long and his wife, Kristina Long, who resides in the Pine Log community near Murphy, NC, and Cory Long and his wife, Kayla Long, who resides in the Pine Log community near Murphy, NC; and three great-grandchildren, Madeleine Kelly, Austin Long, and Megan Kelly. Gerald is survived by his wife, Mildred Wagoner Shelton Collins; his step-children, Larry Shelton and his wife, Winnie Shelton, Shelby Laney, Diane Carrico-Fox and her husband, Jimmy Fox, and Rosemary Jones and her husband, Alton Jones; eight step-grandchildren; and numerous step-great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be held Friday, September 9, 2011, at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Moody Funeral Home, 206 West Pine Street, Mount Airy, NC. Brother Wayne Williamson will conduct the service. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery, North Main Street, Mount Airy, NC, with full military honors by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard and followed by Masonic rites by Granite Masonic Lodge #322 AF and AM, Denny Holder, Master. The family will receive friends Thursday, September 8, 2011, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home. The family wishes to express their debt of gratitude to the management and staff at Brasstown Manor Assisted Living, located in Hiawassee, GA, in whose excellent care Gerald thrived in a wonderful, caring environment for the last six years of his life. Memorials may be made to Regency Hospice of Northeast Georgia, 236 South Main Street, Hiawassee, GA 30546.