Sherwood Lee Collins, Sr., 82, of Tifton passed away Monday, July 1, 2019. His funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2019, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals with the Rev. Andy Ring officiating. A eulogy will be given by Charlie Hill. There will be a private burial for Mr. Collins. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Bob Fincher, Stephen Williams, Casey Williamson, Tyler Ray, Harry Bowen and Lonnie Ray will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be former agents for District 8 Cotton States Insurance and employees of Cotton States Insurance, Chad Pittman, Morris Pittman, Ruth Roberts, Tyra Williams, Sandra Jeffery and Veronica King.
Born June 20, 1937 in Barwick, Mr. Collins was the son of the late Emory Collins and Mamie Massey Collins. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Jacqueline Laugerman. Before retiring, he was a District Sales Manager with Cotton States Insurance, where he achieved numerous awards, including the only 7-time award winner for District Manager of the Year. He also led his District Agents to rank at the top of the company more times than not. He was an avid golfer and loved to fish. He officiated football, umpired softball and refereed basketball for over 31 years. He was a former member of the Lions Club and a current member of Springhill Country Club. He loved to tell and hear stories about his grandchildren and had a sarcastic sense of humor, including picking at his family.
Mr. Collins is survived by his wife, DeeDee Faircloth Collins of Tifton; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Lee and Julie Collins of Thomasville, Kelley and Kari Collins and Jay Collins, all of Tifton; one daughter, Christy Williamson of Tifton; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilma and Norman Parrish of Thomasville and Donna and Tim Drake of Wooster, Ohio; and five grandchildren, Brooke Collins of Valdosta, Sean Collins of Ty Ty, Hannah Collins of Carrollton, Colin Williamson and Camden Williamson, both of Tifton.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Colquitt Regional Hospice, 2516 5th Avenue, SE, Moultrie, GA 31776; or Salem Baptist Church, c/o Peggy Griffin, 1035 Ty Ty-Sparks Road, Tifton, GA 31793.