James Emmett Collins

James Emmett Collins October 31, 2009 MANCHESTER, GA — Dr. James Emmett Collins of Manchester went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 31, 2009. He was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing. Funeral services will be held at the Northside Baptist Church in Manchester on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with interment at the Manchester City Cemetery. Dr. Collins practiced medicine in Manchester for over 50 years. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1946 and then attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran and Mercer University in Macon where he graduated "magna cum laude". He then went to medical school at Medical College of Georgia and graduated in 1953 at the age of 24. He interned one year with the Navy in Jacksonville, FL and was then transferred to the medical staff of the Marines where he served in Japan, Korea and California. The next year, he did a surgical residency in Columbia, SC. Dr. Collins then returned to Manchester in August 1957 and practiced general medicine until September 29, 2009. He was very devoted to his patients during these years of service to his community and even made house calls until the end. One thing he was most proud of was the number of babies he delivered, sometimes even several generations. Two of the babies he delivered were his own grandchildren. One of the most important things in Dr. Collins' life was his family. He was married to Sylvia Henderson Collins for over 50 years and referred to her often as the love of his life. During their years of marriage, they raised five children who loved to go with their daddy on house calls. He was also a devoted son, brother and uncle. Dr. Collins was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Everlyn Collins and a sister who died during infancy. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sylvia Collins; their five children, Emmett Collins, Jr. and his wife, Pat of Harris City, Dr. Blake Collins of Augusta, Dr. Paige Collins and her husband, Jim Ivey of Valley, AL, Dr. Stacey Wolanek and her husband, Dr. Gary Wolanek of Auburn, AL, and Dr. Kyle Collins and his wife, Jennifer of Atlanta; their grandchildren, Justin Collins and his wife, Christy, Ashton Collins, Tyler Collins, Reagan Ivey, Collins Ivey, Caitlin Wolanek, Caleb Wolanek, Madison Wolanek, Bailey Wolanek, Joshua Wolanek, Olivia Wolanek and Riley Collins; one great grandson, Jet Collins; his sisters, Othel Heaney and her husband, Bill of Wilmington, DL and Patty Proctor and her husband, Joe of Manchester; a brother, Norman Collins and his wife, Mary Ann of Roswell; and several devoted nieces and nephews; a devoted niece and caregiver, Carol Taylor; and very special family friends, Carolyn Broughton and her husband, Ken. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to Northside Baptist Church, Cove Baptist Church, or Roosevelt Institute for Rehabilitation. Smith-Steele-Meadows Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.