David was born September 29, 1950 to proud parents David Leroy and Phyllis Proffitt Collins.
After graduating from Glade Valley School in 1968 he was accepted into Mars Hill College where he earned a BA in music with an emphasis on Conducting. He was an active member of Phi MU Alpha fraternity. He met his wife, Donna Hardes Collins while attending Mars Hill College. As a college student he launched his career as minister of music at the First Baptist Church of Franklin NC. After graduating he was accepted into the Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans LA. While in seminary he served as minister of music at Airline Baptist Church in Metairie LA and created the Classical Touring Choir. In the summer of 1973, David’s choir traveled the southeast performing, including a performance at Lifeway Ridgecrest Conference Center. His Touring Choir’s final performance was at Green Street Baptist Church in High Point, NC. David’s gifts for church music and his ability to capture his choral group’s gifts played an instrumental role in helping others launch their own music ministries.
David continued an inspiring career in church music and served as minister of music at Rankin Baptist Church in Greensboro and Emerywood Baptist Church in High Point. He went on to share his gift of music, becoming involved with community theater. He was the musical director for the musical Pippin at High Point Theatre. After many plays with him behind the scenes as musical director he stepped onto the stage as an actor in House of Blue Leaves, playing Artie Shaugnessy, a triumphant success. David touched many lives with his gift of music.
After a successful career in community theatre he returned to his career as the music minister of First Baptist Church in Phoenix AZ.
David met his wife, Donna Hardes Collins while they were both students at Mars Hill College. They were married on May 31, 1970 at The First Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, NC, Their first child Heather Leigh Collins was born on September 1, 1971 in Asheville, NC. Their second child, Courtney Elizabeth Collins was born on March 15, 1977. David finished his masters at Eastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He began working for his father, Leroy Collins at Southern Mill Supply Company in High Point shortly after his second child was born.
Preceding him in death is his mother, Phyllis Collins, his granddaughter Hillary Paige Godfrey.and brother in law Doug Pinnell.
Surviving family includes his father, David Leroy Collins, sister Catherine Pinnell,Donna Hardes Collins, Daughter Heather Collins, daughter Courtney Collins Hunter, son in law Stuart Hunter. Grandchildren include Mary Jordan Collins, daughter of Heather Collins, Emma Grace Collins, Avery Collins and Maxwell and Henry Hunter, children of Courtney and Stuart Hunter. Nephew and niece are Collins Stemler and Mollie Catherine Stemler, children of Catherine Pinnell.
David was a devoted son, Father, and grandfather. His deep love for his family made a lasting impact and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
The visitation will be held on Saturday evening from six until eight o’clock at Sechrest Funeral Home, 1301 E. Lexington Ave. The funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 18th at 1:00pm, with Dr. Richard Groves officiating. Following the service will be a graveside service at Floral Garden Cemetery.
Please send on line condolences to, www.sechrestfunerals.com.
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