Ralph Eugene Collins

He was a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corp, a machine gunner in Vietnam, and a recipient of the Purple Heart and a Quilt of Valor. “Semper Fi, Dad!”

He is survived by his daughters, Lori (Howard) Dowell Jr., Natalie (Bud) McKinney, and his precious granddaughter, whom he loved dearly, Elise Darcie McKinney. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Paul Landers, Sharon Smith (the mother of his children), and a long time special friend, Jeanne Cutshaw and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph J. “Pete” and Gearldine Collins, his sisters, Peggy Lunghofer, Louise “Weezy” Landers, and a great nephew, Cody Landers.

Visitation will be from 2-4 and 5-7pm Thursday, October 13,2022 at Kiser Rose Hill Funeral Home with funeral service held in the chapel at 7pm with Rev. Jim Fillers, and Rev. Harrell Cobb officiating. Interment will be at 1pm Friday, October 14, 2022 in Cedar Creek Cemetery with the Greene County honor guard conducting a military graveside service. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 12 noon to go in procession to the cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Ricky Landers, Paul Landers, Lynn Bowers, Kent Goins, Tim Ward, Mike Ward, Jeff Coakley, Dillon Coakley, and Chad Goins. Honorary pallbearers are Gerald Waddell, Lloyd (Hoot) Bowers, Bill Solomon, Kyle Waddell and Kyle Renner.

A special “Thank You” to Dr Evans, Kim, and staff in Vascular Surgery at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, the nurses at the DaVita Dialysis Center of Greeneville, and the nurses with Amedisys Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation, P.O. Box 330989, Nashville, TN 37203.

Kiser Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements.