Robert Neal Collins Sr.

Mr. Robert Neal Collins Sr., 85, of Blairsville, Ga., died Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at his home following a several months illness.

Mr. Collins was born Thursday, March 17, 1921 in Union County, Ga., to the late Francis Thurman Collins and the late Mary Viola Collins. A lifelong resident of this area, he was a member of Choestoe Baptist Church, where he was a deacon for over 50 years. Mr. Collins was retired from the U.S. Air Force, where he was a pilot, and served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1970, as a Major. Mr. Collins was professor of mathematics at both Young Harris College and Union County High School. Mr. Collins was a Certified Flight Instructor, and taught many people in the North Georgia Area to fly. He was also a farmer and an avid golfer. He was preceded in death by by his parents, and two brothers, Cecil W. Collins and James T. Collins.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby Rogers Collins; son and daughter-n-law and grandchildren, Robert Neal Collins, Jr. and Michele A. Collins, and Jessica A. Collins and Christina V. Collins, of Blairsville; daughter and son-inlaw, grandchildren and step-grandchildren, Rehnee Dyer and Larry E. Dyer Sr. of Marietta, Larry E. Dyer Jr., and Nicholas C. Dyer, of Marietta, Michele D. Williams and Kelly D. Cantrell of Gainesville, Ga.; son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Joseph R. Collins, Colleen H. Collins, Alexander

Joseph Collins and Emma Grace Collins, all of Blairsville; sisters, Mrs. Hazel Clary of Blairsville, Mrs. M. Catherine Fortenberry of Ault, Colo., and Mrs. Betty J. Lawrence of Destin, Fla.; many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 11 a.m. from the Choestoe Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Zollinger, Rev. C.R. "Dick" Stillwell, and Rev. B.A. Buchanan officiating. The body was instate at the church starting at 10:30 a.m. The eulogy was presented by Mr. Clyde Collins. Music was provided by Martha Collins, Jo Mosley and Michele Collins and The Choestoe Baptist Church Choir. Graveside services followed in Choestoe Baptist Cemetery with Rev. Troy Acree presiding, with military graveside honors presented by North Georgia Honor Guard. Pallbearers were William "Bud" Akins, Fred Woodward, Joseph Lawrence, Ronald G. Clary, James H. Hunter Jr. and Curtis Saunders. Honorary pallbearers included Choestoe Baptist Church Deacons.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Choestoe Baptist Church Building Fund, 4455 Choestoe Church Road, Blairsville, Georgia 30512.

Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please sign Mr. Collins' guest registry and view his Video Tribute, by visiting our website at www.cochranfuneralhomes. com.