Theodore Clyde Collins, Jr.

Theodore Clyde Collins, Jr. passed away peacefully on October 27, 2022, at Well-Spring surrounded by family. He was 93 and the last living founder of Well-Spring, a Life Plan Community; namesake of the T. Clyde Collins, Jr. Community Center at Well-Spring; and retired Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer of Southern Life Insurance Company in Greensboro, NC.

Clyde is survived by his wife of 71 years and the love of his life, Dorothy Buchanan Collins, and his children, Theodore Clyde Collins, III (Clyde III) and daughter-in-law Sara Benson Collins, Laura Anne Collins and son-in-law Thomas Joseph Gallagher (Tom), and John Matkins Collins (Matt) of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren Emily Abigail Smith and Elizabeth Smith Howell (Liz) and grand son-in-law Adam Howell of Clarksville, IN, and David Bediz of Washington, DC, Taylor Brown of Houston, TX and Asheton Brown of Charlotte, NC; great-grandchildren Noah, Tovah, Norah, and Judah Howell of Clarksville, IN. In addition to his parents, Clyde was predeceased by his daughter Cynthia Leigh Collins and brother Charles Amos Collins.

Clyde was born in Greensboro on December 21, 1928, the son of the late Theodore Clyde Collins, Sr. and Burwell Matkins Collins. His parents raised him during the Great Depression with a strong commitment to service. He had one younger brother, Charles. His father was an officer of Southern Life Insurance Company and his mother loved to garden, was involved with First Baptist Church, and other civic organizations. His father traveled often during the week for business, so Clyde felt a sense of responsibility for the family while his dad was away. In his spare time, Clyde liked to hunt and fish with his Dad. Even at an early age Clyde exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit, renting his comic books out to friends, selling soft drinks from his red wagon to workers at construction sites near home, and taking photos at dances. He also worked hard to become an Eagle Scout and earned the Order of the Arrow. As a reward for attaining the Eagle Scout merit badge, his parents gave him flying lessons. He soloed at age 16.

Clyde attended Greensboro Senior High School, now Grimsley. Upon graduation from Grimsley, he went on to Kings Business College where he studied accounting. He knew at an early age that he wanted a career in finance with Southern Life. After graduating from college, he started his career with Southern Life Insurance by working his way through the ranks up from the print shop, then into accounting to eventually become its Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer. Clyde had developed a very strong work ethic and would never ask anyone to perform a task that he would not do.

In 1951, Clyde married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy, whom he had met in the high school choir. They had 4 children; Cynthia, Clyde III, Laura, and Matt whom he loved very much. Clyde was a devoted husband and father who also had many interests and hobbies over the years including cooking, photography, sailing, golf, woodworking, pottery, and jewelry-making. He also served in the Army National Guard for 17 years after which he continued to serve in the reserves.

When their children were growing up, the family had great adventures camping in the mountains. Over the years, they remodeled several old houses in Greensboro with everyone, even the children, lending a hand. Their Figure 8 Island home became the location of a number of happy occasions and a welcome place for the family to recharge. Clyde and Dorothy also loved their home in Spruce Pine, NC where they spent a significant amount of time and energy involved in the arts, through their involvement with Wildacres Retreat, Penland School of Craft, and Toe River Arts Council.

Clyde has always shown his love for Greensboro and nearby communities through his wholehearted engagement in community organizations. He was an active member of First Baptist Church and served several terms on the Board of Deacons and Finance Committee. He served as President or Chairman of the following organizations: Well-Spring and the Well-Spring Foundation, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Moses H. Cone Hospital System, Young Life, and Financial Executive Institute (Carolinas Chapter). Clyde was a board member of United Way, Hospice of Greensboro, Excellence Foundation of UNCG, United Arts Council (now ArtsGreensboro), General Greene Council of Boy Scouts, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Life Office Management Association, Civitan International, Penland School of Craft, Greater Greensboro Housing Foundation, Wachovia Bank & Trust, A.J. Fletcher Foundation, The Achievement School in Raleigh, NC, and Wildacres Retreat. He also served Leadership Greensboro and Fuquay School of Business at Duke University in an advisory capacity.

One of Clyde’s greatest legacies was development of the comprehensive life care community we now know as Well-Spring. In 1987 when Clyde retired from Southern Life Insurance Company, Clyde along with 4 other Greensboro business executives began their journey of faith towards making Well-Spring a reality. Contributions from local residents of Greensboro and the hard work and dedication of the original 5 founders started Well-Spring on the road to where it is today. Clyde and Dorothy have made their home at Well-Spring since 1998.

A memorial service to celebrate Clyde’s life will be held at Well-Spring in the Virginia Sommerville Sutton Theatre on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at 2:30pm with a reception immediately following.

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Collins family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any of the following charitable organizations; First Baptist Church Greensboro, 1000 W Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27401, https://fbcgso.org/; Hospice Care of Greensboro NC now AuthoraCare Collective, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405, https://www.authoracare.org/give/commemorative-giving; Toe River Arts Council, 269 Oak Avenue,Spruce Pine, NC 28777, https://www.toeriverarts.org/; Well-Spring Employee Assistance Fund, 4100 Well Spring Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410, https://well-spring.org/charitable-giving/