Lonnie Ray Collins

Lonnie Ray Collins was born the beloved son of Fred Edward and Annie Beatrice Littlejohn Collins on April 16, 1950 in Fort Worth, TX. Lonnie was nurtured, grew and prospered amongst his family in the close nit communities Baptist Hill and later The Southside of Fort Worth Texas.

At an early age Lonnie joined Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church where he served in the youth choir. He had a melodious voice and greatly enjoyed leading songs in the choir.

Lonnie was a 1968 graduate of the historic I. M. Terrell High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a member of the marching and jazz bands and went on to co-found a local band with two other classmates. After graduating high school, Lonnie was immediately drafted into the U. S. Army. He distinguished himself while serving as a paratrooper in the Vietnam conflict and was awarded the purple heart due to his heroism. Lonnie was a disabled American veteran.

Lonnie was dubbed “Earp” by his loving brothers Charles Robert and Paul Earl Collins, but due to the indomitable character that he was, he nicknamed himself, “Gucci Man”. He was an intelligent, outgoing, charming, and fun-loving person. He was the life of the party and because of his adept swing out skills, he was sought out on the dance floor by many the young lady. Lonnie was a loving father, brother, nephew, cousin and friend to many.

On June 25, 2023 Lonnie passed from earth to his heavenly repose.

Lonnie is preceded in death by his parents Fred Edward and Annie B. LIttlejohn Collins; brothers, Paul Earl Collins and Charles Robert Collins; and sisters, Edith Fay Collins and Margaret Collins Maxwell.

Left to cherish his memory are: his children - three sons, Lonnie Lampkin Jr., of Fort Worth, Texas, Marcus Collins, of Vallejo, CA, Jonathan Childress (LaShonda) of Milwaukee WI, and one daughter, Evette Collins, of San Francisco CA.; grandchildren - April Richardson, Preston Richardson, Bianca Blackstone, Ariana Graham, Preston Demings, Elijah Demings, Daniya Carminers, Jaydin Carminers, Leelee Moore Johnathan Childress, Jr., Rita Childress McIntyre, Jae Honesty Childress, Ja Loyal Childress, Marcus Collins, Jr., Maryha Collins, Marshon Collins, and, Mekhi Collins, seventeen great grandchildren; sisters - Florida Ward, Min. Vernessia Collins and Hon. Ann Y. Collins, sister-in-law, Min. Georgia Collins, uncle - John R. Littlejohn, Aunt - Alice Faye Littlejohn, and a host of loving nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the Collins family.