Gary Allen Collins

Gary Allen Collins, 71 of Dallas, Georgia, went to be with his Savior, Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Cobb Hospital, after complications from surgery. He was surrounded by his loving family as his spirit ran into the arms of Jesus.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Gary was the third child of the late Vardie William Collins and the late Ruth Genevieve Collins. After moving to Newnan, Georgia as a young child, he was involved in his special-needs Sunday School class at First Methodist Church, where his whole family attended. After losing his father at age 14, Gary spent the next several decades cared for by his mother, brother, and sister. After the passing of his mother, Gary went to spend the last 20 years as a part of his niece’s family, Nancy and David Rogers and their children. He was also served and loved by several caregivers, during his last days. He was recently a member of the Sonshine Sunday School Class at McEachern Memorial Methodist Church and Higher Ground Church, where he enjoyed participating in the worship services in his own special way.

Some say Gary was born an angel, a special person with the ability to express love like no other, except the Lord. His special needs, far from defining him, showed his incredible capacity for joy, innocence, and an unyielding spirit. His unique perspective on the world reminded us of the beauty in simplicity and the power of real connection with others. And his infectious laughter and radiant smile brightened the lives of his late parents, sister and brothers, his nieces and nephews, his cousins, his church family and friends and even total strangers. He reminded everyone to find joy in the simplest of pleasures such as music, silly movies, leaves, rubber bands, feathers, and anything soft or textured, and of course babies and animals – especially kitty cats!

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Vardie and Ruth Collins and his brother Delbert Collins. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Craig, his brother Donnie Collins (Marlene), his sister-in-law, Linda Collins, his nieces, Patricia Fairbanks (Randy), Nancy Rogers (David), nephews, Rick Collins (Sandy), Chris Collins, Matt Collins (Jennifer), and Andrew Collins (Lyndsey). He is also survived by several great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at Hillcrest Chapel with Pastor Tony Phillips officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, one hour prior to the service.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Matthew Collins, Andrew Collins, Evan Collins, Joel Smith, Johnathan Rogers, Patrick Cunningham, and helpers Jacob and Jeremiah Smith.

Higgins Funeral Home Hillcrest Chapel is honored to serve the family of Gary Collins, please visit www.hillcrestchapelcares.com to share your memories or leave a condolence message.

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