Kenneth C. Collins

Kenneth C. Collins departed this life to be with his Lord on Thursday, March 13, 2008 in Gulfport.
Mr. Collins was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Alpheus R. and Hattie Smith Collins and his birth parents, Paul James and Katherine Germany James Smith.
Mr. Collins is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Faye Johnson Collins of Long Beach; son Jeffrey Collins and his wife Sindy M. Collins, Long Beach; sister, Mae Lynn Hardy and husband Cliff of Bessemer, AL; two nephews; three nieces; and many cousins.
Mr. Collins was born on March 22, 1924, in Gulfport, MS at King's Daughter Hospital. Mr. Collins was a lifelong resident of Long Beach where he graduated from Long Beach High School in 1943. He attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 1945-1947. He graduated from University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg in 1949 with a Bachelor's Degree of Science. While attending USM he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Beta Epsilon Chapter.
Mr. Collins worked at the Naval Construction Batallion Center, Gulfport from 1951-1955 as Supervisor of Receipt Control. He retired from Keesler AFB in 1983 after 28 years as Documentation Director. After retirement, he worked as Chief of Security at South Mississippi Regional Center in Long Beach from 1985 to1987, Harbor Patrolman for the City of Long Beach, Realtor at Pete Byrne Real Estate, and enjoyed being a greeter at K-mart in Long Beach. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Long Beach where he served as Sunday school teacher, in the choir and as a deacon. He was also a member of Southern Star Lodge #500 F &AM of Long Beach, Past Patron of the Long Beach Chapter # 306, Order of Eastern Star, Past Watchman of Shepard for Peace Shrine #1 - Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Scottish Rites Mason, Gulfport, NARFE Chapter, Gulfport, American Legion #1995, member of the DAV, charter member of the Lions Club of Long Beach, coached Long Beach Little League baseball teams, loved attending all high school sporting events, and served as Alderman for the city of Long Beach from 1989-1993.
Ken enjoyed going to McDonalds everyday for coffee and meeting his friends. McDonald's personnel were always so caring to him. He will be missed by his """"Club Mac"""" friends who enjoyed talking politics and """"solving"""" many Long Beach problems. He was surprised by his wife and coffee buddies on his 80th birthday with a party in Playland and a Ronald McDonald cake. His wish when he blew out his candles was to live to be 83 years old and celebrate his 50th anniversary with Faye. His wish came true on October 13, 2007 with an anniversary celebration with family and friends at Petit Four Junction in Long Beach.
Memorials may be made in Ken's memory to : 'His Church Rising Fund', First Baptist Church of Long Beach, P.O. Box 388, Long Beach, MS 39560 or to Broadmoor Baptist Church, 1901 Kelly Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501.
Many thanks to both churches for the love and support given to Ken and his family during his illness and to Tender Loving Care Health Care for their compassionate care.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 16, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd, Long Beach. Services will be held on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to services at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Long Beach City Cemetery.
An online guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.riemannfamily.com.