James Elton Collins

James Elton Collins, 84, of Martinsville, Va., died Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. He was born on June 24, 1925, in Pittsylvania County to Wade B. and Octavia Shelton Collins, both deceased. He had served in the United States Army during World War II in occupied Germany. He retired from Dan River Mills with 40 years of service. He was a member of Fuller Memorial Baptist Church where had served as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and Head Usher. He had also sang in the choir for decades. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Sadie Barbour Collins in 1967; his second wife, Shirley Foster Painter Collins in 1999; his sisters, Agnes Collins and Lucille Collins Dalton; and his brothers, Haywood and Rudy Collins. He is survived by two daughters, Kathy Collins Lawson, of Martinsville, and Colleen Collins Adams, of Collinsville; two sons, Michael Painter, of Greensboro, N.C., and Rodney Painter, of Roanoke; his brothers, Allie R. Collins, of Gretna, and D. Wayne Collins, of Chatham; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2009, at CollinsMcKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville. The Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2009, at Fuller Memorial Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Danville Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Fuller Memorial Baptist Church, 1204 South Askin Street, Martinsville, Va. 24112. Arrangements are by CollinsMcKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville. Online condolences may be sent to www.collinsmckeestone.com.