Vernon Collins

Vernon Lowell "Preacher" Collins died peacefully on August 22, 2025, at a care facility in Columbia, Tenn. He was 91 years old. His sons were at his side.

Mr. Collins was born May 22, 1934, at Ellard, Miss. to Elmer Leonard Collins and Nannie Smith Collins. He was the fifth of nine children who grew up on the family's farm. He attended Ellard High School, where he played basketball. He moved to Memphis after graduation. He served in the 25th Army Postal Unit in Baumholder, Germany. Upon leaving the Army, he became a postal worker eventually retiring from the US Postal Service as an executive for the Southern Region. He served for decades with the Tennessee Air National Guard's 164th Civil Engineering Squadron at Memphis. Having served as Senior Enlisted Leader for the 164th Airlift Wing, he retired at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. After retirement he returned to farming near Ramer in McNairy County.

He is preceded in death by his wife Shirley Grace Collins (née Locke) of Ramer; his parents; and siblings Elmer Collins, Jr., Jeanette Anderson, Mattye Ruth, Noel Collins, Jesse Collins and Boyd Collins. He is survived by his sister, Betty Collins Peaks (Bob) of Gulfport, Miss.; brother, Scott Collins (Reeda) of Bruce, Miss.; sons, Mark Collins (Denton) and Barry Collins (Emily); his grandchildren Ryne Collins (Heather) of Cary, N.C., Tyler Collins of Nashville and Briley Holmes (Andrew) of Savannah, Tenn.; his great-grandchildren Scarlett Collins, Maddox Collins, Mack Holmes and Collins Holmes; and numerous other Collinses, as well as neighbors and friends in Columbia, Ramer, and Memphis (Tennessee) as well as Corinth and Bruce (Mississippi).

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025 at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Shackleford Funeral Directors in Selmer.

After a gathering for family and friends, the burial will take place at 2 p.m. at Sulphur Springs Cemetery in Selmer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Airmen Memorial Foundation at hqamf.org/donate, or AMF, 5211 Auth Rd, Suitland, MD 20746.

Shackelford Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family of Vernon Lowell "Preacher" Collins.