Lester Collins, Sr

Mr. Lester Collins, Sr., 88, of 359 Woodruff Street, Mount Airy, passed away Wednesday morning, September 1, 2010, at his home. Mr. Collins was born May 2, 1922, in Patrick County, VA, son of the late John Walter and Frances Hall Collins. Lester served our country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He worked as a carpenter and brick mason for many years at Samet Construction Company and later retired from John Tesh Construction Company. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Leslie and John Brett of Greenbackville, VA, and Dara and Tim Parsons of Mount Airy; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Terry Lee Collins of the home and Lester Collins, Jr. and Linda Collins of Mount Airy; two stepdaughters, Hazel Hodges and her husband, Ewuel, and Brenda Cecil, all of Mount Airy; nine grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; eight great-stepgrandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Velva and Irvin Collins of Ararat, VA; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Collins was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosalie Olson Collins; his second wife, Eva Mae McCreary Hooker Collins; two sisters, Lettie Nester and Maybelle Marshall; and a brother, Bernie Collins. The funeral service will be held Friday, September 3, 2010, at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Bob Josey officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.