December 9, 2024
Marion Ralph Collins, age 99, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel; and he will lie in state on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm (the funeral hour) at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Gainesville. Interment will be in the adjacent church cemetery.
Ralph was born June 27, 1925, in New Holland to the late Robert Joe Collins and Ada Thomas Collins. He married the love of his life, the late Mildred (Latty) Collins on Sept. 2, 1947. They were married 74 years, 4 months and 6 days prior to Mildred going home to be with her Lord and Savior on Jan. 8, 2022.
Ralph joined the United States Army on Sept. 21, 1943, and served until December 31, 1945. He was a Purple Heart recipient for being wounded in battle. He landed two days after D-Day on Normandy Beach.
He joined Oak Grove Baptist Church in January of 1951. He served as deacon, Union Training Director, Active in the Brotherhood, and Nursery Worker for more than 30 years. He and his wife, Mildred transported children for more than 50 years, during that time they also drove the church bus and van.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, Edward Collins (Eva); Hoyt (Elteen) Collins; Albert (Gertrude) Collins; Arthur Collins, Hubert (Betty) Collins and J.B. Collins; sisters, Lounette Collins, Alice Collins Reed; Ruth Collins Ash, Willonell Collins Sutton and Bobbie Collins Webb.
He is survived by his daughters, Jeanette Collins Thomas (Boyd) of Gainesville; Cherylin Collins Woodruff (Terry) of Jefferson; son, Ralph Gary Collins (Lynn) of Clermont; four grandchildren, John Thomas of Gainesville; Brian Woodruff (Patrizia) of Buford; Bradley Woodruff ((Sara) of Talmo; and Amanda Collins Dover of Habersham; 10 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren and sister-in-law, Evelyn Ward Collins.
Memorial Park Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements
For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.
