Preston Theodore Collins, Sr., 80, son of the late Artie and Marian Collins, was called home to eternal rest on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at his residence in Salisbury, Maryland. He was born on May 21, 1931. Other than Maryland, Preston also lived in Delaware for a short time.
Preston received his education in the Somerset County School System. He later moved to Pennsylvania where he was a licensed barber for many years in West Chester. He was also employed as a Building Maintenance Worker for the West Chester School District, from which he retired in 1996.
His early Christian journey began at John Wesley United Methodist Church in Cottage Grove in Westover, Maryland. While in Pennsylvania, he attended St. Paul’s Baptist Church. Preston was baptized on May 9, 1971, by Reverend Charles E. Booth.
Those of us left to cherish the many memories of Preston are his wife Ann H. Collins of Springfield, Ohio; his sons Perry Collins of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Preston Collins, Jr. of Newark, Delaware; three sisters Lena C. Tilghman and Marian Jeanette Williams of Westover, Maryland and Martha Jones of Baltimore, Maryland; one brother Dr. Lowell U. Collins; one daughter-in-law Angie of Newark, Delaware; one brother-in-law Marion Jones of Baltimore, Maryland ; one sister-in-law Helen Collins of Delmar, Delaware; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three step-children; a special riding buddy, Henry Brown; one aunt Annie Mae Milbourne of Westover, Maryland; many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends; and his pet Pomeranian whom he called “Duncan”.
In addition to his parents, Preston was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his twin sons, Lillian Collins; and his two brothers, Artie Collins, Jr. and Ethelbert “Jay” Collins.
A funeral service will be held 12 noon on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at John Wesley United Methodist Church (Cottage Grove) in Westover, Maryland where friends may call two hours prior. Interment will be held in the Church Cemetery.
