Lane Phillips Collins

Trustworthy, funny, gentle spirited, responsible, kind, hard-working...these are just a few words that come to mind when describing Lane Collins. Lane Phillips Collins was born on May 16, 1938; he passed away at home from pancreatic cancer with his loved ones by his side on May 5, 2014.

Lane was born in Asheville, NC and moved to Cassatt, SC at 10 years of age. He loved the farm life and always had a garden growing with fresh vegetables. Lane worked at DuPont in Florence, SC for 34 years in Production Control, retiring in 1994. He lived in Florence for 35 years, raising his four girls and providing for them. He loved to go on vacations with his family - to Cherry Grove Beach, SC once a year, to the mountains, and lots of picnics at Cheraw State Park.

He moved to Hull, GA after remarrying in 1992 and built a new home with bride, Rita. Lane loved working in the yard and had an abundance of different flowers and plants he cultivated and tended himself. As one of his loving nieces, Linda Collins Truesdale recently said, "Patience, love, tender loving care are needed to grow such flowers. Uncle Lane has all of the attributes needed to nourish such beauty." This sentiment could also be a metaphor for his life because he nourished his relationships just as carefully. He was dedicated to those he loved. He was quick to run errands for others and made many trips to Madison County schools bringing forgotten lunch money, book bags, and gym shoes. Lane's defining trait was being on time. He never wanted others to have to wait on him. This has held true with his last appointment with his Heavenly Father.

Lane has been a blessing to everyone. As Lane's oldest brother, Nick Collins said, "If there was ever a gentleman, it's my brother Lane." We all need such a gentleman in our lives.

Before his passing, Lane was preceded in death by his parents Nicholas Edwin Collins and Ruth Miller Collins of Camden, SC as well as a grandchild, Tyler Fortson Moon of Hull, GA. Lane is survived by his spouse of 21 years, Rita Fortson Collins; four daughters: Melaine (Hal) Campbell of Florence, SC; Rhonda Ruth Doran of Lexington, SC; Kim (Sam) Brunson of Florence, SC, and Jenny Batchelor of Florence, SC; two stepchildren: Lee (Donnie) Burroughs of Hull, GA and Raeford (Kim) Davis of Charleston, SC; three brothers: Nick (Catherine) Collins of Camden, SC; Jim (Mary) Collins of Wagener, SC and Loren (Marilyn) Collins of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and thirteen grandchildren.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 7th from 6-8 pm with funeral services on Thursday at 2 pm at Lord & Stephens East at 4355 Lexington Road; Athens, GA. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to Hull Baptist Church (PO Box 640; Hull, GA 30646) or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (1500 Rosecrans Ave Suite 200; Manhattan Beach, CA 90266).

Lord and Stephens, East is in charge of arrangements.
www.lordandstephens.com