Mr. James “Jim” Albert Collins, 88, of Westfield, N.C. (Francisco Community), passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2024. He was born May 18, 1935, in Stokes County to Lola Stone Collins and William Ernest Collins. Jim was a farmer and loved raising Black Angus cattle. He graduated from Francisco High School, Appalachian State Teacher’s College, and North Carolina A&T University. He retired from the Stokes County School System. He was best known for teaching driver education at North Stokes High School where he also drove countless miles for many of the high school sporting events. Jim was a longtime member of the Francisco Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) where he served as an Elder. He was a charter member of the Francisco Ruritan Club as well as the Francisco Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad and held a certification as an Emergency Medical Technician until 2017 at the age of 82. Jim, and his wife, Sara lived a life of service to others and instilled that in their family. Surviving is his son, Gregory Alan “Greg”, wife Susan Hathcock and grandson William “Will” Alan Collins of Westfield, daughter-in-law Jeannine Underdown Collins of Boone, NC and many nieces, nephews, special friends, and teaching colleagues. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, Sara Lou Schuyler Collins, son, James Randall “Randy” Collins, brothers Wesley Enoch Collins, John Caroll Collins, and Thomas Preston “Perk” Collins. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday March 24, 2024, at Francisco Presbyterian Church in Westfield with Rev. Dr. Will Eads officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:30- 3PM at the church. The family wishes to express their sincerest thanks to the physicians and staff of LifeBrite Community Hospital, LifeBrite Family Practice, Stokes Nursing Home, Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, Trellis Hospice and friends. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to: The Collins Family Scholarship, ASU Foundation -Gift Processing, P.O. Box 32014, Boone, NC 28608, Francisco Ruritan Club Scholarship Fund c/o Craig Sumerell 3670 Horseshoe Road Westfield, NC 27053 Or a charity of your choice.
