Julius Edward "Skeeter" Collins, Jr.

Mr. Julius Edward “Skeeter” Collins, Jr., 93, of Cordele, GA, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Crisp Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 12:00PM on Monday, December 4, 2023, at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2817 Ebenezer Road, Ellaville, GA, with Bro. Troy Fripp officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jay Fulcher, Josh Wells, Ronnie Cross, Billy Kerley, Brian Nichols and Cody Gilbert. Honorary pallbearers will be James Rigdon, Ricky Harden and Joe Woodall. The family will greet friends at the church one hour prior to service time beginning at 11:00AM.

Mr. Collins was born in Monroe, GA, on May 17, 1930, to Julius Edward Collins, Sr. and Dolly Moss Collins. After the death of his mother, he was raised by his father and stepmother, Mrs. Berta Yates. He was employed as a banker with Commercial Credit. Mr. Collins graduated from Ft. Valley High School in 1947.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951 and served honorably for four years where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served a two year tour in Germany during his military service.  Mr. Collins loved fishing and hunting arrowheads.  He enjoyed going to country music concerts and often attended Homecoming services at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Ellaville. Mr. Collins served as the Scout Master for Troop #14 in Florence, Alabama. In 1993, he began working the meat counter at Stripling’s General Store in Cordele. He was well known by everyone. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Berta Yates and by a brother, Beverly Fulcher.

He is survived by his companion of 35 years, Ms. Betty Holland of Cordele, GA; by a son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Christy Collins of Franklin, TN; a daughter, Anna Kerley of Pell City, AL; a step-daughter, Beverly Miller; three sisters, Jerri and James Rigdon, June Cross, and Cindy Paxton; by seven grandchildren, Christopher and Halley Collins, Zachary Collins, Joshua Collins, Drew and Danielle Kerley, Emily and Josh Wells, Dillon Kerley, and Loni Kerley; by six great-grandchildren, Colter Collins, Lilli Kerley, Maddie Kerley, Graham Kerley, Claire Wells, and Grant Wells. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P. O. Box 103, Ellaville, GA, 31806.

Way-Watson Funeral Home of Ellaville has been entrusted with these arrangements.