Mr. Donald Alvin Collins

Donald was born in Pickens to the late Alvin and Pauline Massingill Collins. He attended Pickens High School. He married the late Betty Jean Heaton of West Union in March of 1956. Their family was completed with the birth of their son Donnie Ray in 1957. Donald had a true American work ethic. He worked very hard to provide for his family. He worked in housing construction for many years and when Oconee Nuclear Station construction began, he became an employee of Duke Power. He worked and traveled many long hard hours, and made many life-long friends during his years with Duke Power. He retired after 24 years of dedicated service in April of 1993. He enjoyed bird hunting and deer hunting with Donnie Ray and friends and his dedicated bird dog, June.

Donald is survived by his son Donnie Collins (Reda) of Pickens, granddaughter, Jessica Gilstrap (Jeremy) of Easley, two great-grandsons, James Gilstrap of Pickens and Jonston Gilstrap of Easley, and one brother, John T. Collins (Jan) of Liberty.

The family would like to acknowledge the excellent care given to "Papa" from November 2019 until his passing by the staff of Sunnybrook Assisted Living, Hendersonville, NC. They truly became his family during the COVID crisis of 2020.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends following the service at the cemetery.

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