Roy was born June 21, 1935 in Camden, TN to Thomas and Myrtle Collins. On June 29, 1957 he married the love of his life, Mary. To say he was head over hills for her was an understatement. He loved her with all he had, and went above and beyond to make sure she was always taken care of. One of his last requests to his kids was to be sure and take care of “Mom,” he had to know she was going to be ok.
Together they began building a beautiful family and Roy was always the true definition of a family man. He was a loving father and husband who always put everyone else ahead of his own wants or needs. He was kind, selfless, caring, giving but more than anything he was a man who fully believed in God and he raised his family to do the same. Every night you could hear his cries and prayers going up for his family. Nothing meant more to him than his family and making sure that each one knew God.
Roy and Mary loved to travel most of all, even if it was just a short day trip or a full week’s vacation. He loved to drive, and she loved to be his partner in all the adventures they could manage to go on.
Roy was always the same no matter where you saw him, or who you were. He would show you nothing but kindness and love. He would give you his very last dollar if you asked for it with no questions or hesitation, even if it meant he went without. He trusted in God to provide and take care of him and his family and without fail God always did.
On October 11, 2025 Roy passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side. He is now getting to hear the most beautiful angels singing and is seeing the most beautiful sights that we can’t even imagine, but most of all he is in the arms of Jesus and he’s waiting for the day that all of his family is there to join him.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 14, 2 p.m. at Calvary Family Worship Center with Bro. Glenn Smith and Bro. Rick Bradley officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, 11-2 at Calvary Family Worship Center. Burial will be in Berry Cemetery. Deaton Funeral Home, Red Bay, AL will be in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Collins; children, Phillip Collins (Laura), Debbie Kanehl, Cindy Larson, Charles Collins (Sherry) and Kim Evetts (James); grandchildren, Michael Collins, Brittany Allison (Justin), Serena Gober (Lee), Logan Kanehl (Amy), Nathan Larson, Clay Collins (Sacora), Caleb Collins, Meghann Elrod (D.J.), Kaitlin Oliver, Collin Evetts, Blake Evetts and Renate Wellington (Patrick); twenty-one great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Billy Collins and Roscoe Collins and two sisters, Betty Earlene Oatsvall and Sara Dyer.
Pallbearers will be Michael Collins, Logan Kanehl, Nathan Larson, Collin Evetts, Lee Gober, James Evetts and Cayson Collins. Honorary pallbearers will be Barrett Gober, Copeland Collins, Cutler Collins, Jackson Elrod, Bentleigh Allison, Cobey Collins, Kalvin Oliver, Noah Posey, Cove Collins and Jax Elrod.
