ELLABELL, Ga. -- Mr. Darwin Franklin Collins, age 85, died Monday, October 23, 2023, at his residence under the care of Compassus Hospice.

The Bulloch County native served in the U.S. Army in 1962 and 1963.

Following his military service, Darwin returned home and farmed for several years and worked in the garment industry.

He married Evon Fail in 1965.

Darwin began his career with Jimco in Savannah in 1979, where he was employed for 30 years until his retirement in 2009.

Following retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, yardwork and spending time with his family.

Darwin was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Brooklet, where he served as a deacon and usher.

He was an honorary member of the Tar City Hunting Club.

Darwin was preceded in death by a son-in-law, David Shuman; and a grandson, Matthew Ford.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Evon Fail Collins of Ellabell; his children and spouses, Patrina Collins Shuman of Eden, Darwin Franklin Collins Jr. and Jamie of Guyton, Diana Lynn Ford and Eddie of Ellabell and Vernon Stacey Collins and Angela of Stilson; 13 grandchildren, Britany Smith and Adam, Catlyn Shuman, Racqel Collins, Darwin Franklin Collins III and Cyndilee, Kirsten Ford, Hunter Collins and Shelby, Josh Sandoval and Jena, Madison Sandoval and Jared, Kasey Collins and Andrew, Eddie Ford, James Baker, Hayden Collins and Cayson Collins; six great-grandchildren, Landon Smith, Darwin Franklin Collins IV, Chesney Smith, Tanner Collins, River Collins and Liam Collins; two sisters, Martha Chaffin of Brooklet and Joann Fordham of Brooklet; and a brother, Freddie Collins of Richmond Hill.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home in Statesboro.

The funeral service will be on Friday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home with the Revs. John Spencer and Joe Clifford officiating. Interment will follow in Bulloch Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be his sons, son-in-law and grandsons.

Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters and other grandchildren.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 10290 Highway 80 East, Brooklet, Georgia 30415.

Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Statesboro Herald, October 25, 2023

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