Ernest Eugene "Gene" Collins, 87, passed away on May 10, 2016 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS. He was retired from the construction industry and a member of Sturgis Baptist Church. He was a Godly man who loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewitt Talmadge Collins and Mattie Lou Henson Collins.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Martha Sue Leach Collins of Starkville, MS; daughters, Susan Hunt of Louisville, MS, Nancy Wolf of Florida, Susan Pollard of Alabama, and Linda Collins of Starkville, MS; son, Phillip Collins (Kathy) of Starkville, MS; sister, Clara Bell Land of Winona, MS; brother, Garland Collins (Doris) of Winona, MS; grandchildren, Brittany Allen, Brandon Hunt, Andy Collins, Adam Collins, Heather Mattingly, Christopher Maddox, Carl Wolf, Kenny Wolf, Brandi Wolf Durnan, and Veronica Chase; and 11 great grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, May 13, 2016 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS, with the funeral service immediately following in the funeral home chapel. Rev. Russell Mord will conduct the service. Burial will be in Sturgis Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Sturgis Cemetery Fund, Sturgis Town Hall, 3851 MS Hwy. 12, Sturgis, MS 39769.