Samuel Ray Collins, Sr.

RALEIGH- Samuel Ray Collins, Sr., 91, of 4826 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh (Garner), died Wednesday at The Laurels in Garner. Born in Wake County, he was the son of the late William Herman and Dora Wilder Collins. He was a shoe salesman at Belks, a salesman for Burnettes Home Supply, co-owner of Collins-Warren Drive-In and a sales engineer for Toledo Scales. After retirement, he enjoyed playing golf and working at Collins Service Station towing cars. Mr. Collins was a member of Ernest Myatt Presbyterian Church, where he served as Elder, Deacon, Superintendent of Sunday School, as well as a Sunday school teacher, charter member of the choir, church treasurer, elected trustee and an active member of the Agape Bible class. Always active in the community, he was a past master of the Garner Masonic Lodge 701 and Vandora Masonic Lodge 745. He coached baseball when the Tar Heel Little League was formed and coached 17 years for the Ernest Myatt Presbyterian Church team, leading them to a state championship. In addition, he was a Scoutmaster for troop # 345 at Ernest Myatt Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Saturday at Ernest Myatt Presbyterian Church. Burial with Masonic Rites will follow in the church cemetery. Survivors include his four children, Dolores and John Bagley, Sammy and Jill Collins, Ronnie and Julie Collins and Lynn Strother; five grandchildren, Lisa Hahn, Chris Bagley, Kelly Muller, Samantha Collins and Jessica Strother; five great-grandchildren, Katie, Michael, Elise, Nina and Addison; brother, Herman Collins and sister, Rosa Lee Rogers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Collins and five brothers and five sisters. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 pm Friday at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of The Laurels of Forest Glenn, especially Alberta, June, Monica, Phyllis and Jill and also to Liberty Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ernest Myatt Presbyterian Church, 4926 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603.