Charles Allen Collins

Charles Allen Collins, of Collinsville, a retired educator and fishing enthusiast, passed away on November 1, 2024. He was 77. Mr. Collins taught history and social studies in Henry County schools for more than 30 years and was a coach and mentor to several generations of students. He was also active in bass fishing organizations in and around Henry County.

Charles was born February 22, 1947, in Stuart. His parents, Amon and Virginia Bryant Collins, came from families with deep roots in Patrick County. Charles began school in Newport News, VA, where his family was then living, but returned to Patrick County in 1955. He completed elementary school in Stuart and graduated from Stuart High School in 1965. Charles was a standout athlete for the Stuart Wildcats – a high-scoring forward on the basketball team and a member of the baseball and track teams.

Charles entered Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1965 and completed two years there before transferring to Lynchburg College. He graduated from Lynchburg College in 1969 with a B.A. in history. He began his career as a public school teacher at Hardin Reynold Memorial School in Critiz in the fall of 1969, teaching fifth grade and working with the sports program. After a few years, he moved to the Henry County public school system. His first love was American history, but he taught a variety of social studies courses at several schools, including Drewry Mason, Figsboro, Carver and Laurel Park. He was active in his schools’ athletic programs, serving as an assistant coach for football and track and field. He also taught for two years in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system in North Carolina. As a teacher, Charles is remembered for his encyclopedic knowledge of American history and for working to instill critical thinking skills and self-confidence in his students. During his teaching career, he earned a Master’s degree in education from Averett University and took graduate-level history courses at Virginia Tech. He developed innovative ways to engage his students and served as a mentor for beginning teachers.

If teaching was his vocation, fishing was his avocation. Chuck, as he was known to his fishing buddies, fished from childhood, first in the few remaining trout streams in Patrick County and later as a competitive bass fisherman. He was active in several local bass fishing clubs, including Country Boys Bassmasters. He devoted more time to fishing after his retirement from teaching and was named “Mr. Bass” in 2001 by the Piedmont Bassmasters and in 2005 by the Danville Bassmasters.

Chuck married Mary Frances Quick Rafferty, also a public school teacher, in 1998 and became the stepfather of her son Ben and daughter Carrie. Chuck was first married to Pamela Wilson, who was also a teacher in Henry County, Virginia.

Chuck loved his family and enjoyed taking them out on his fishing boat. In their later years they were fortunate enough to spend time in New Mexico and Colorado, where Chuck renewed his enthusiasm for trout fishing in the lakes and creeks. Chuck had a positive outlook on life and a great sense of humor. He also relished competition, whether on the basketball court or in a bass fishing tournament.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Mary Frances; his stepdaughter, Carrie Rafferty of Collinsville; and stepson, Ben Rafferty (Nicole) of Greensboro, NC; his brother, Ray Collins (Betty) of Amelia, VA; and sister, Betsy Collins Demiray of Saint Paul, MN; nephews, Michael Collins (Hope), and Matthew Collins (Cher); niece, Lee Collins Agnew (Tom); as well as step-grandchildren Kellen, Teddy, and Natalia Rafferty; and nine grand and great-grand-nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be made at collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com