John Mark Collins of Garland, Texas gained his angel wings on February 15, 2021 at the age of 82. His final days were spent surrounded by his family. John was born on February 26, 1938 to Harvey E. Collins and Mary Lavon (Williams) Collins in Indianapolis, Indiana. John proudly served his country in the U.S. Army with a tour to Korea. He returned to his hometown of Dallas, Texas and married Ruth Chambers in 1964. To this marriage there were two children born Mark Russell Collins and Carianna Collins. John lost his wife Ruth in 1967 and was left to raise his children. He met Betty Summers Reaves and married on June 6, 1969 in Garland, Texas, bringing their families together to make 6 with the addition of Elizabeth Ann Reaves and Rebecca Leah Reaves. In 1970, his family was complete with the birth of John Allen Collins.
John was an active member of Lavon Drive Baptist Church and he raised his family in a Christian home. His interests included church, family, fishing (every pond that he could see) and taking his little dog Freddy for walks.
John worked and provided for his family at Sherwin-Williams Paint Company for 47 years.
John is survived by his wife, Betty Collins; 5 children, Elizabeth Hale of Garland, Texas and Rebecca Brooks and husband, Kevin Brooks of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Mark Collins and wife, Paula Collins of San Antonio, Texas, Carianna Price and husband, Phillip Price of Lebanon, Tennessee and John Collins and wife, Jamie Collins of East Tawas, Michigan; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren, brothers, Phillip Collins, Dale Collins, David Collins; sisters, Sandra Stevens and Linda Tate; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Mary Collins; 2 brothers, Eugene Collins and Robert Collins; 2 sisters, Mary Collins and Phyllis Gilliand and1 granddaughter, Stacy Blake.
A “come and go” visitation will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home. Only a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter the funeral home facility at any one time to maintain social distancing.
In support of our local, state, and federal govt including CDC directives and to protect the physical health, safety and well-being of our community, only a limited number of guests will be allowed to attend the Funeral Service.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 20, 2021 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on John’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/john-mark-collins. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.
However, when the maximum number of guests are reached, those who would like to honor John and show their support to his family may remain at the funeral home in your vehicle, where you can watch the live streamed service on your personal device (laptop, tablet or smartphone) or listen through a designated FM radio channel.
Following the funeral service, a procession will make its way to the Allen Cemetery for a committal service where all are invited to attend the committal service maintaining social distancing directives or you may remain in your vehicle.