Person Page - 1432

     Virginia Ruth Collins Mrs. Virginia Ruth Collins Jefferson, 96, of Westfield (Collinstown Community), passed away at Northern Hospital of Surry County Friday, August 10, 2018. She was born in Stokes County, N.C., January 27, 1922, to the late Roy Elisha and Clytie Mills Collins. Mrs. Jefferson owned and operated Jefferson Grocery along with her late husband, Charlie. She was the oldest member of Collinstown Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Jefferson is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and David Williams; grandchildren and spouses: Mallory and Chad Grose, and Jeffrey and Sharon Williams; great-grandchildren: Nathaniel and Charly Grose; several special nieces and nephews; and special friend, Sarah Lou Rogers. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Jefferson was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Garnett, and four brothers: Lloyd, Moir, R.M., and Glenn Collins. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, August 13, 2018, at Collinstown Presbyterian Church with Rev. Rickey Rogers and Rev. Shaun Draughn officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mt. Airy where her body will remain until the time to be taken to the church to lie-in-state 30 minutes prior to the service. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the personal in-home caregivers, the staff of Northern Hospital of Surry County Skilled Unit, and the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for the wonderful care Mrs. Jefferson received.² She was buried at Collinstown Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 2868 Collinstown Road, Collinstown, Stokes Co., North Carolina.^9,2 She was born on January 27, 1922 at Stokes Co., North Carolina.^1,2,9 As of September 14, 1946,her married name was Jefferson.¹ She married Charlie Reid Jefferson on September 14, 1946 at Stuart, Patrick Co., Virginia.^1,2,10,3 Virginia Ruth Collins died on August 10, 2018 at Mount Airy, Surry Co., North Carolina, at age 96.²

     His Social Security Number was 245-26-2756.⁵ Charlie Reid Jefferson was buried at Collinstown Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 2868 Collinstown Road, Collinstown, Stokes Co., North Carolina.^2,3 He was born on December 16, 1921 at Stokes Co., North Carolina.^2,3,5,4 He married Virginia Ruth Collins, daughter of Roy Elisha Collins and Clytie Selelia Mills, on September 14, 1946 at Stuart, Patrick Co., Virginia.^1,6,3,7 Charlie Reid Jefferson died on August 7, 2001 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 79.^2,3,4,5 He COLLINSTOWN, NC ~ Mr. Charlie Reid Jefferson, 79, Gray Circle Road passed away Aug. 7, 2001, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. He was born Dec. 16, 1921, in Stokes County to the late James William and Nancy Jane Slate Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He retired from J.P. Stevens and was for 16 years the owner and operator of Jefferson's Grocery. Mr. Jefferson was a member of Collinstown Presbyterian Church and a member of the Pilot VFW Post 9436. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ruth Collins Jefferson of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and David Williams of Collinstown; two grandchildren, Mallory Williams and Jeffrey Williams; two sisters, Bessie Simmons of Mount Airy and Ruth Holt and husband Paul of Stuart, Va; two sisters-in-law, Inez Jefferson of Claudville, Va., and Rachel Jefferson of Collinstown; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Jefferson was preceded in death by three sisters, Hattie Shelor, Lillie Jefferson and Mary Creasey; six brothers, Walter, Lee, Edgar, Jack, John and Andrew Jefferson; and an infant son. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, 2001, at Collinstown Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Charles Howell and the Rev. Rickey Rogers officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery with full military honors by VFW Memorial Honor Guard Post 2019 Mount Airy and Post 9436 Pilot Mountain. on August 8, 2001.³

     Mildred Juanita Collins was buried at Branches Baptist Church Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.^4,11 Her Social Security Number was 239-30-0310.¹² Her married name was Garnett.¹ She married John Richard Garnett.^1,4 Mildred Juanita Collins was born on October 26, 1924 at Stokes Co., North Carolina.^{1,3,12,4,11,13} She died on April 28, 2002 at Mount Airy, Surry Co., North Carolina, at age 77.^12,4,11,13 She MOUNT AIRY - Mrs. Mildred Juanita Collins Garnett, 77, of 1245 Collins Farm Road passed away Sunday evening, April 28, 2002, at her home. She was born Oct. 26, 1924, in Stokes County to Roy Elisah and Clydie Slelia Mills Collins. She was retired from Reynolds Metal Co. and of the Baptist faith. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Mrs. Faye Warden and husband Jimmy of Mount Airy and Mrs. Sue Lancaster and husband Glenn of Richmond, Va; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Jefferson of Collinstown; and a brother, R.M. Collins of Pilot Mountain. Mrs. Garnett was preceded in death by her husband, John Richard Garnett; a great-grandchild, Tyler Wyatt; and three brothers, Lloyd Collins, Moir Collins and Glenn Collins. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. today, April 30, 2002, at Cox-Needham Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bob Button, Elder Weldon Joyce and Elder Tracy Collins officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2002 at Branches Baptist Church Cemetery in Richmond, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Southern Piedmont Chapter, 3420 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215. The Garnett family is being served by Cox-Needham Funeral Home, Pilot Mountain. on April 30, 2002.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 223-28-8687.⁷ John Richard Garnett was buried at Branches Baptist Church Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.^3,5 He married Mildred Juanita Collins, daughter of Roy Elisha Collins and Clytie Selelia Mills.^1,2 John Richard Garnett was born on September 27, 1925 at Ashland, Camden Co., New Jersey.^3,4,7,5,6 He died on February 14, 2000 at Mount Airy, Surry Co., North Carolina, at age 74.^3,7,4,5

     His Social Security Number was 246-56-1614.¹² Roy Mills Collins was buried at Asbury Presbyterian Cemetery, Asbury, Stokes Co., North Carolina.^13,3 He was born on June 8, 1927 at Stokes Co., North Carolina.^{1,7,2,12,13,3,5,14,6} He married Martha Joyce Lawson on November 22, 1950 at Mount Airy, Surry Co., North Carolina.^13,15,16 Roy Mills Collins died on August 21, 2006 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 79.^12,13,3,14 He PILOT MOUNTAIN - Mr. R.M. Collins, 79, of Pilot Mountain passed away Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, at Forsyth Medical Center. R.M. Collins was a man with a mission his entire life. He spent it helping and serving others through community service and state organizations. His motto was always "Live Life with No Regrets." He did just that, as evidenced by his accomplishments. He has touched the lives of thousands on his walk through life, making a positive and memorable stamp during his time on earth. We celebrate his love and zest of life. He was born on June 8, 1927, in Stokes County to Roy Elijah Collins and Clytie Mills Collins. Mr. Collins received a four-year basketball scholarship to attend Appalachian State Teachers College from 1946 to 1950 earning a Bachelor of Science in history and physical education. He married the love of his life and soul mate Joyce Lawson in November 1950. He was called to serve in the Army from 1951 to 1953, delaying his start in education. Mr. Collins began his teaching and coaching career at Nancy Reynolds High School in Stokes County where he taught until 1960. He and his wife together moved to teach at King High School (now an elementary school) in 1961, remaining there until retirement with 39 years of service. He had additional positions within Stokes and Surry Counties during the years up to retirement. He was involved with Forsyth Tech Adult Classes; director and Water Safety instructor of Pilot Mountain swimming pool for 10 years, which was called "the pool on the mountain." During his time on the mountain, he received a national award of recognition for saving the life of a young man. He was involved with Stokes County summer recreation swimming program; director of the Yadkin Valley 4-H County Recreation Program; an instructor for Surry County Red Cross Chapter for 30 years teaching First Aid, swimming classes and lifesaving; driver's education instructor for Stokes County; Pilot Knob Park Pool Water Safety instructor and director for six years; member of Pilot Mountain State Park Advisory Board; founding member of Sauratown Trails Association; member of the N.C. State Trails Committee; member of First Presbyterian Church in Pilot Mountain; and a member of Session and a Sunday school teacher. Mr. Collins was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mildred C. Garrett; and three brothers, Moir Collins, Lloyd Collins and Glenn Collins. Mr. Collins is survived by his loving wife and companion of 55 years, Joyce Lawson Collins, of the home; Melanie Collins Diamont and husband Donnie of Pilot Mountain; a grandson, Samuel E. Diamont, of Pilot Mountain; and a sister, Ruth Collins Jefferson, of Collinstown. Funeral services will be conducted at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jesse Bledsoe and the Rev. Kristi Rolison officiating. A tribute to R.M. Collins' life will follow in the family life center. There will be a committal service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Asbury Presbyterian Cemetery for family and friends. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in his honor to any of the following organizations: Sauratown Trails Association, P.O. Box 42, Tobaccoville, NC 27050; Appalachian State University, Alumni Association for the Athletic Association or the Yosef Club; First Presbyterian Church of Pilot Mountain, Music or Building Fund, 314 A E. Main St., Pilot Mountain, NC 27041; or Horn Creek Living Historical Farm, 308 Horn Creek Farm Road, Pinnacle, NC 27043. The Collins family is being served by Cox-Needham Funeral Home in Pilot Mountain. on August 22, 2006.¹³

     Martha Joyce Lawson was buried at Asbury Presbyterian Cemetery, Asbury, Stokes Co., North Carolina.³ She was born on July 5, 1930 at Stokes Co., North Carolina.³ As of November 22, 1950,her married name was Collins.⁴ She married Roy Mills Collins, son of Roy Elisha Collins and Clytie Selelia Mills, on November 22, 1950 at Mount Airy, Surry Co., North Carolina.^2,3,4 Martha Joyce Lawson died on August 5, 2014 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 84.³ She PILOT MOUNTAIN, NC ~ Mrs. Martha Joyce Lawson Collins, age 84 of Pilot Mountain, died Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at Forsyth Medical Center. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister & friend. She touched the lives of so many through her selfless acts of kindness, caring and compassion as a first grade teacher for 35 years at Nancy Reynolds and King Primary Schools; as a choir director for 45 years at the First Presbyterian Church of Pilot Mountain; and many summers teaching swimming lessons to children of all ages at the Pilot Pool on Pilot Mountain, the Pilot Knob Park Pool, and Stokes County Recreation Department. Joyce was an advocate of The Sauratown Trails Association and a strong supporter of husband R.M.'s efforts in trailblazing. Joyce and R.M. also opened their home to foreign exchange students throughout the years. From Sweden, Kristina Jason writes "she taught me so much and always made me feel special." Joyce Collins will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her daughter Melanie and son-in-law Donnie Diamont of Pilot Mountain; grandson Samuel E. Diamont and wife Sarah of Lewisville, NC; three sisters and brother-in-laws: Sue & Ken Mitchell of Collinstown, NC, Marilyn & Dean Green of Greensboro, NC and Diane & John Walker of Johnstown, NC; two brothers and sister-in-laws: Scotty & Peggy Lawson of Pilot Mountain, NC and Ivan & Rachel Lawson of Whitsett, NC and uncles: Wayne & Frankie Joyce of Asbury, NC and Oliver & Betty Joyce of Johnson City, TN. She was born July 5, 1930 in Stokes County to the late Oliver Cromwell Lawson & Irene Joyce Lawson. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Collins was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Mills "R.M." Collins; sister, Jo Collins and brothers: Max, Kent & Roger Lawson. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Pilot Mountain conducted by Rev. Kristi Rolison with interment to follow at Asbury Presbyterian Church Cemetery. on August 7, 2014.³