Martin Travis Collins

Martin “Marty” Travis Collins, age 63, was received into the loving arms of the Lord with peace and dignity, surrounded by the love of his family, on Saturday, September 12th, 2026, at his home in Brandon, Mississippi. He was deeply loved and respected, and though his life ended far too soon, his life touched countless others in ways that will never be forgotten.

Marty was born on July 2nd, 1963, to the late Lt. Colonel Thomas Edward Collins III and Donnie Katherine Martin Collins, at the U.S. Air Force Base in the Netherlands. He grew up in the Jackson, Mississippi area and attended McCluer Academy, where he lettered in basketball and baseball. He later attended Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a bachelor’s degree in business, and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

He married Claudia Elizabeth Eaves on July 9th, 1987, after a whirlwind romance that lasted almost 40 years, and together they built a family of four beautiful, compassionate, and tender hearted daughters.

He served in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne Division, training as a paratrooper at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was honorably discharged following a knee injury sustained during a land navigation drill and was awarded the Sharpshooter Service Ribbon in recognition of his skill and dedication.

Following his military service, Marty built a career as a real estate mortgage broker in Jackson and Louisville, Mississippi. He and his family later moved to Queen Creek, Arizona, around 2002, where he continued his work in real estate. Marty was also an avid bodybuilder, owned a Boot Camp Fitness gym, and trained in mixed martial arts, developing advanced levels of expertise across multiple disciplines. He also participated in various athletic competitions, including Ironman events, half marathons, Tough Man competitions, and pro boxing bouts. Around 2021, he and his family returned to the Brandon, Mississippi area.

His first cousin, Tom Landin, was like a brother to Marty and a steadfast presence later in his life, and a source of unwavering support to his family.

Marty is survived by his treasured wife, Claudia Elizabeth Eaves Collins, of Brandon, MS; his cherished daughters Arlington Katherine Collins Wightman (Tyler Richard Wightman) of Brandon, MS; Anne Hudson Collins of Hattiesburg, MS; Ellis Elizabeth Collins of Houston, TX; and Marylacy Collins of Brandon, MS; as well as his beloved grandchildren McKinleigh Faith, Rylee Hope, and Brayden Travis Wightman. His four daughters were his greatest earthly accomplishment, and he loved his son in law, Tyler Wightman, as a son and a true friend. He loved Jesus deeply and longed for the day he could run, whole and strong, into heaven.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Donnie Collins, and his brother, Dr. Edward Noel Collins.

A Service Honoring His Life will be held at Baldwin Lee Funeral Home in Pearl, Mississippi, on Saturday, September 19th. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery, located at 1213 Lebanon Presbyterian Church Rd., Utica, MS.

Pallbearers will be Tom Landin, Steve Martin, Tyler Wightman, Jerry Fox, Bob May, and Thomas Eaves.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial gifts may be made to the Concussion Legacy Foundation to support CTE research, at concussionfoundation.org or by mail to P.O. Box 181225, Boston, MA 02118, or to the Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Sam Robison, 310 Oak Street, Learned, MS 39154.