Vernon Gregory Collins Sr.

1926 - 2017

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL - Vernon Gregory Collins, Sr., 91, graduated to glory on May 24, 2017. He was born on February 18, 1926 in Lumber Bridge, NC and moved to Poquoson in 1951. He retired to Jacksonville, FL in 2008. He graduated from Garner High School and Wake Forest University. He taught Science and Calculus at Poquoson High School for several years before going to NASA as an Engineer. He was very active in the churches he attended in Poquoson and Jacksonville. An ordained Pastor for over 40 years, he enjoyed reading the Bible and sharing his love for Christ with everyone he met. He was preceded in death by his devoted and loving wife Bernice Horton Collins, and their son Joel; parents Genevieve & Rev. Fred Collins; brothers, Fred Jr., John, Ivey, and Wilbur; and sister Genevieve. Vernon is survived by his children, Kathy Langway and husband Alan, Vernon G. Collins Jr. and Bonnie, Sheila Buchanan and husband, Jerry, John Collins, Glenn Collins and wife, Monica, and Jeffrey Collins and wife, Teresa; 16 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mattie Stephens of NC and Cynthia Furlong of TX. The family will receive friends at 9:30 AM., Tuesday, May 30, 2017, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 AM at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home, Newport News. Burial will follow at 12:00 PM in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk. Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.