Mr. James Edward Collins, age 97 of Wheeler County passed away on Saturday evening, July 20, 2019 at the Glenwood Healthcare Facility.

A native and lifelong resident of Wheeler County, he was one of five children born to the late David Washington Collins and Naomi Pearl Bright. Mr. Collins had worked with his family as a Carpenter in Atlanta for a short time before returning to Wheeler County where he farmed for many years.

He and his family had been longtime members of Beulah Baptist Church, Glenwood, Georgia.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wives, Martha Lou Kittrell Collins and Vergie Maddox Collins; two brothers, Charlie W. Collins and Morgan Collins; a son, Eugene Thigpen, a daughter, Nona Pearl Thompson, a grandson, James Burton Stapleton and two great great grandsons, Micah Vance Whitaker and Baby Boy Johnson.

Mr. Collins leaves behind, children, Sandra Taylor, Villa Rica, GA, James Thigpen, Ellabelle, GA, Jane Palmer, Glenwood, GA, Danny Collins, Baxley, GA, JoAnn Thigpen, Olympia, WA, Joyce Davis, Tifton, GA, two sisters, Earlene Willhite and Alma Frost, both of Glenwood, GA, twenty seven grandchildren, forty nine great grandchildren, twenty two great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 25, 2019 in the Williams Chapel of Sammons Funeral Home with Pastor Johnny Wheeler and Pastor Paul Beasley officiating.

Mr. Collins will be laid to rest in Beulah Baptist Cemetery.

His family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Sammons Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Edward, Phillip and Kenneth Collins; and Steven, Matthew and Collis Thornton.