James "Tooter" Collins

Obituary
James “Tooter” Collins, 81, a resident of Athens, TN passed away on Thursday afternoon April 25th, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family. Tooter was born in Birchwood, TN on May 2nd, 1931 a son of the late Jay and Annie Collins. Tooter worked for many years and retired with forty years of service from the Bowater Southern Paper Corporation in Calhoun, TN. He was an avid sports enthusiast having played baseball, basketball and was a champion bowler in the Athens area. Tooter took great pride in his family and his grandchildren and great grandson were the light of his life.
In addition to his parents Tooter is preceded in death by two sisters Jo Ann Collins and Ina Mae Gibson, one brother Ronnie Collins, mother-in-law Alma Price, one brother-in-law John Gibson.
Tooter leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 55 years Betty Sparks Collins, one son James Lynn Collins and his wife Betty, two daughters Lisa Nelson and her husband Terry and Linda Freeman, six grandchildren T. J. Nelson and fiancé Shauna Welch, Dustin Nelson, Joshua Gary, Tanner Collins, Amanda Nelson & Annie Freeman and one great grandson Carson Gary. He is also survived by four sisters Murriel Seaborn, Beth Mooneyham (Earl), Francis Brown (James) and Clara Stinnett (Jerry), three brothers Harold Collins (Mary), Paul Collins (Belinda) & Gene Collins (Sue), one father-in-law James Price, two brothers-in-law Tom Sparks (Lavenia) and Jimmy Price (Jewell) and numerous other extended family members and friends.
A celebration of his life is planned for 3 PM on Sunday, April 28th, 2013 at Boyd Memorial First Church of God located on 1130 Congress Parkway Highway 11 N in Athens, TN with the Reverend Jeff Stinnett officiating. Interment will follow in the Cedar Grove Cemetery with the grandsons, great grandson, Steve Partain and Conn Comerford serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 PM until the 3:00 PM service time.
You are encouraged to share a memory of Tooter and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com.
Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Collins family with these arrangements.


Visitation Details
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Boyd Memorial First Church of God
1130 Congress Parkway Highway 11 North
Athens, TN 37303

Interment
Sunday, April 28th, 2013 following the Service

Celebration of Life Service Details
3:00 PM
Sunday, April 28th, 2013
Boyd Memorial First Church of God
1130 Congress Parkway Highway 11 North
Athens, TN 37303

Cedar Grove Cemetery
concluding with Miltary Honors