Joseph M Collins

Visitation will be held at Morgan Funeral Chapel Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral Service will be held at Morgan Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 11:00 am. with Reverend Man Watkins officiating.

Burial at Conn Cemetery in Gallant.

Mr. Collins was born in Alabama but moved to Indiana as a young man where he began working on the Interstate Highway system for a few years and then went to work at the Hammond School System as a Building engineer. While in Indiana he married his first wife Connie and they had four children together, three girls and his only son. They divorced after twelve years and he later married his second wife, Marie, who had six children of her own. After being married for about a year, the family moved to Alabama and they were together for 38 years before her death. A few years after Marie’s death, he married Frances who has seven children and they were together for almost 21 years at the time of his death. When he returned to Alabama he worked for several years as a logger before he began driving a truck. He was an independent driver for many years. He worked for Bowman and later for Landstar from which he retired. He enjoyed woodworking and tinkering on appliances. He also loved to garden and he loved his dogs, especially Dolly who misses him dearly.

Mr. Collins survived two previous spouses, Connie Gaskin and Marie Collins. He is preceded in death by his parents Atha and Fitz Hugh Collins, daughter Cindy Jo Ledbetter; Brothers J.D., Windell, Elton, and Charles Collins.

Mr. Collins is survived by his wife Frances Collins, brother Jerry “Ham” Collins, sister Louise Alexander, son Joseph Leon “Chip” Collins and daughters Linda Rachal and Loretta Tetters. Stepchildren include Les Potapowitz, Irene Gorecki, Yolanda Hill, Walter Potapowitz, Tony Potapowitz, Chrissy Meeks, Joe Griffith, Kay Morris, Wanda Sciascio, Donnie Griffith, Tommy Griffith, Patricia Reynolds, and Terri Palmer. Mr. Collins has numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be James "Hot Rod" Collins, Donnie Collins, Johnny Collins, Carlen Collins, Elvert “Rat” Collins, and Robbie Collins.

Honorary Pallbearers will be special friends; Darrell Green, Hoyt Langley and Leon Marion Collins.

Special Thanks to CenterWell Home Health nurses, occupational therapists, and physical therapists; Dr. Stephanie Morgan; and the very special nurses in the CCU at Riverview Regional Medical Center.