William Montgomery & Euber Roberts Collins

This obituary is a sweet love story of two people who lived life to the fullest for almost 68 years of their marriage. It is a celebration of a couple who had a positive influence on so many people both together and independently.

William Montgomery Collins Sr. and Euber Roberts Collins passed away within 24 hours of each other.

“Monty” passed away peacefully on Monday, November 2, 2020. “Euber” gracefully joined him the following morning on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Monty was 90 years old and Euber was 88 years old.

Their family is grateful for their long, wonderful life together and feels that they were both blessed to not have to live without each other.

Monty was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 21, 1930 to Neal Glenn and Mary Katherine Collins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Katherine Glenn DeGruy of Mobile, Alabama.

Euber was born in Winfield, Alabama on June 12, 1932 to Homer Floyd and Euline Harton Roberts.

She is survived by her sister, Faye Roberts VanWinkle of Atlanta. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Peggy Roberts Williams of Auburn AL.

Monty attended high school at Gulf Coast Military Academy in Gulfport Mississippi and graduated from Ramsey High School in Birmingham. After high school he attended The University of Alabama where he met the love of his life, Euber Roberts. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. During his time at the University of Alabama he also served in the Air Force Reserves during the Korean War.

Euber grew up in Sylacauga, Alabama and Anniston, Alabama. She graduated from Anniston High School.After high school, she attended Salem College for Women in Winston Salem North Carolina for two years and then transferred to the University of Alabama where she met the love of her life, Monty Collins. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority.

Monty and Euber were married in Anniston Alabama at Parker Memorial Baptist Church on November 27, 1953. They began their life together in LaGrange Georgia where Monty joined his father’s trucking business, BC Trucklines. After his father’s unexpected death, Monty and his mother sold the family business. He and Euber decided to take a job opportunity in Mobile, Alabama where they planted their roots.

During the beginning years of building their life together, they had four children. Monty Jr, Bob, Perry and Mary Katherine.

After a number of years of working for Hempstead Oil Company in Mobile, Monty was recruited by Georgia Highway Express, the company that bought his family’s business to be the General Manager for their Mobile office. He went on to be the Vice President of Industrial Development and Governmental Affairs at the First National Bank of Mobile for the rest of his career. After retiring from the bank Monty was The Field Representative for Congressman Sonny Callahan’s Mobile office.

During these years, Monty was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for two terms, on the Board of The University of South Alabama nine years, a member of the Alabama State Docks Advisory Board, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Banking School where he was in the first graduating class and a member of The Mobile Shriners International Fraternity.

Through these years Monty had a secret weapon in his life. Her name was Euber. She was as outgoing as her husband. They both had different but complementary styles which made them such a wonderful couple. Euber was very involved in their community. She was on the Board of the Florence Crittenton Home in Mobile for many years, was the Chairwoman of the Mobile County Board of Registrars for four years and was the first of three women to become Deacons at the First Baptist Church of Mobile. She was also an avid bridge player. But first and foremost, she was a full time Mom who supported all of her children’s activities and interests. Euber and Monty were also members of the Country Club of Mobile.

They were both active members of The First Baptist Church of Mobile for over 60 years. Monty and Euber’s strong faith and a conviction of their religious beliefs were the foundation of their beautiful life together.

Monty and Euber had friends from all walks of life and cherished each friendship. They taught their children that the value of serving your community selflessly and having good friends were only second to the love and support of your family. They both truly led their lives by example for their children and those whose paths they crossed.

Monty and Euber are survived by their children, Monty Collins Jr. (Jerry Dark), Bob Collins (Ann Hartsfield Collins), Perry Collins (Lisa Wilson Collins) and Mary Katherine Collins Larson (Will Larson).

Monty and Euber were known to their grandchildren and great grandchildren as Grandad and Dahme. They are survived by six grandchildren, Rob Collins (Catherine), Neal Collins (Louise), Sarah Collins Springs (Matt), Emily Collins Moore (Josh), Daniel Larson and Olivia Larson.

They were blessed to have lived long enough to know their seven great grandchildren and for their great grandchildren to know "Grandad and Dahme". They are Margaret Collins, Kate Collins, Thomas Moore, Ann Redding Moore, Ellie Moore, Lowe Springs and Montgomery Springs.

Monty and Euber’s Celebration of Life will be held together at First Baptist Church, 806 Government Street, Mobile AL on Monday, November 9, 2020.

Visitation will be outside on the lawn adjacent to the church at 10am. The Celebration of Life service will be in the church sanctuary at 11am.

The service will also be live streamed on the First Baptist Church of Mobile Facebook page and Radney Funeral Home Facebook page as well.

Due to COVID-19, the family asks that social distance guidelines be followed and requests that masks be worn.

A private family graveside service will follow.

As an alternative to flowers, Monty and Euber requested that donations be made to First Baptist Church of Mobile, 806 Government Street, Mobile Alabama 36602. (251) 432-6513.

Their family would like to thank Australia Mitchell, Roshell Whitfield, Dessi O’Caine and all the other caring ladies of Sitter Service Home Care, LLC, for their loving care of Monty and Euber in their last days.