Joel Gray Collins

FUNERAL HOME

Kirk Funeral Homes - Demopolis

651 Highway 80 West

Demopolis, Alabama

Joel Collins Obituary

MONTGOMERY Joel Gray Collins, age 33, of Montgomery, formerly of Demopolis, died Sunday, May 6, 2012, at home. Services will be 3 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Demopolis with the Revs. Carl Williams, Steve Vernon, and Paul Whitcomb officiating. Burial will follow in Demopolis Memorial Gardens with Kirk Funeral Homes Demopolis Chapel directing.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joel Gray Collins and Eva Nell Collins and Y.C. Duncan and Sallie Duncan; his sister, Leigh Ward Abrams; and many other beloved family members.

Survivors include his mother, Elsie Duncan Collins of Demopolis; his father, Scotty and wife Carol A. Collins of Gallion; his sisters, Andrea C. Whaley (Mark) of Greensboro and Beth Fleming (Rob) of Demopolis; his brother, Freeman Cole Collins of Gallion; his niece, Hannah Whaley; and his nephews, Alex Fleming, Ward Abrams, and Will Abrams.

He was born July 19, 1978, in Demopolis to Ronald Scott Collins and Elsie Duncan Collins. Gray served his country proudly aboard the USS Nassau. He loved the Lord and was a member of the Church of the Highlands in Montgomery. He attended a neighborhood Bible study with friends twice a week. He was the owner of Graystone Glass, making beautiful blown glass ornaments, jewelry, and other glass creations.

Pallbearers will be Jamey Champion, Kenny Freeman, Austin Grantham, Tom Nettles, Kip Massey, Andy Eddins, and Ryan Burkhalter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alabama Baptist Children's Homes, P.O. Box 361767, Birmingham, AL 35236.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tuscaloosa News on May 10, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Joel Collins

9 Entries

David Ward

September 9, 2022

Miss you.

Cindy Arndt

May 4, 2019

Here it is Gray, 7 years later and James and I are still missing you, talking about you and still at the same house. Always....Cindy and James

Andrea Thornton

May 28, 2012

See u in heaven one day(: I love you forever. Soulmates to the end..my forever bridge...

Chris Svec

May 22, 2012

Gray was a customer of our glass supply company, one of our very first and we remember him fondly. As one of our first customers we always had a special connection with Gray over the years and all enjoyed taking good care of him. We all enjoyed talking with him every time he called in. I feel a special bond has been broken and he has moved on to a better place. I am going to try and get one of the glass manufactures to make a color in his honor and release it to the glass community. He often talked about his special color "Graystone Bacon Sparkle". If anyone has any input on what he used in making that color, or would like to add words to a memorial to go along with the release of the color, please email me at [email protected] . I will do my best to pull something off, he deserves it. We are very sad he has passed.

James Arndt

May 14, 2012

Gray, as Cindy indicated, was just that, a new neighbor that I came to love. He painted my back deck and fence the weekend before we heard the bad news. I remember him telling me that weekend when he came back from church that he had made penance with the Lord at church that day, and was now square with the House. As Cindy indicated, he gave us the usual hug and always welcomed me home when I got back on the weekends from work. He was a very talented artist of glass, and he could have had a bright future ahead, but, as we all know, we never know when our calling will be, and the House came calling. They say that time is like a predator, you can outrun it for a period, but, eventually, it will come calling, and like many before, there are so many things we leave unfinished in life, and Gray's passing is an example of someone who left this world with so many things unfinished, for he wanted to get a new shop set up behind his house to work during the summer months to make beautiful glass products, he made many Christmas ornaments for us, and our tree was full of them, what a loss. I know he is at peace now, in heaven. I am also sorry I was not able to attend his funeral, my son was getting married that day, but, many prayers will be sent in his direction by me personally. Loved you buddie, and my heart goes out to you and your family. James Arndt (your next door neighbor)..

May 10, 2012

Our hearts go out to the Collins family. We are so sorry for your loss. Gray came into our lives a few years ago as just a "new neighbor", someone we thought would stay for a few months and move on. He soon became more than that, he became our friend and we truly loved him. He was a special person. He always greeted us with a hugh smile and a hug and before he went on his way, another bear hug and a "see you later"...We are so sorry that we cannot attend the service, but our hearts and thoughts will be there and Gray will live in our hearts forever. We love you buddy, Cindy & James

Celia Potter

May 10, 2012

Gray was a wonderful young man. My family was blessed to have known him.
Brian & Celia Potter (Greer, SC)

clancie blackwood

May 10, 2012

My heart goes out to the Collins family. I regret that I will not be able to attend the service..my spirit and thoughts are with you...I went to school with Andrea and remember Gray quite well...as I looked at his glass work I could see his talent..soul...energy in every peice...I will continue to pray today and the day's ahead for healing...our God comes to call upon us and we leave to a better place...this earthly pain is heavy but love from family and friends helps us through...God Bless you all....Sincerely.....Clancie Blackwood

clancie blackwood

May 10, 2012

Heaven has a new angel...God bless !!

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results