Rev. Charles Collins

Rev. Charles Melvin Collins, age 81, of Shelbyville, Tennessee, died Thursday, February 7, 2013 in Shelbyville.  Rev. Collins was born in Bedford County and was a son of the late Allen Jackson and Julia Pearl Sudberry Collins.  He was a veteran serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  Rev. Collins was a member of First United Methodist Church of Murfreesboro and was a member of Shelbyville Benevolent Masonic Lodge # 122 F&AM.  He retired after 30 years of service with the United States Postal Service where he was superintendent of postal operations in Bedford and Rutherford counties.  He also retired after 20 years as a United Methodist Church minister having served as pastor at many churches in Bedford and Moore counties.  Following his retirement, Rev. Collins was employed with Lawrence Funeral Home in Chapel Hill and Howell-Lawrence Funeral Home in Shelbyville, TN.  He was preceded in death by his sisters, Elizabeth Ann Collins, Reva Mai Collins, and brothers, James Edward Collins, Robert Allen Collins and Hubert Collins.

Rev. Collins is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Elizabeth Rush Collins, Shelbyville, TN; sons, Samuel David Collins, Murfreesboro, TN, Daniel Rush Collins, Murfreesboro, TN, James R. Watlington, Shelbyville, TN; three grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 8, 2013 at Lawrence Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 9, 2013 from the chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home with Rev. Lewis Johnson and Rev. Jimmy Sorrells officiating.  Burial will follow in Pressgrove Cemetery.

In Lieu of Flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Hospice Compassus, 1805 North Jackson St., Suite 5 & 6, Tullahoma, TN  37388 or the charity of your choice.