Larry Collins

Larry Collins passed away on January 17, 2025, surrounded by his family.  Larry was born in McCormick, South Carolina in 1946 and grew up in Cotter, Arkansas, but he called Lincolnton, Georgia, his home for more than four decades.  Larry married Emmye Ward in 1977 at Lincolnton Presbyterian Church, and they shared more than forty-seven years of marriage and raised nine children together.

Larry's greatest joy in life was his family, and he is survived by his wife, Emmye, his children, and their spouses: Craig and Iluna Collins of El Paso, Texas; Libby and Alan Inglett of Lincolnton, Georgia; Luci and Clay Smith of Lincolnton, Georgia; LeighAnne and Chad Hersey of Waycross, Georgia; Bess Robinson and Clay Cushman, her fiancé, of Lincolnton, Georgia; Savannah and David Linenburg of Vincennes, Indiana; Sneed and Jessica Collins of Statesboro, Georgia; and Emma and Ryan Woodham of Charleston, South Carolina.  Larry is also survived his grandchildren, Carolin, Gary, Junior, Andrew, Grace, Rachel, Zachary, Rebekah, Pelham, Lex, Anna Faith, Isabelle, Caroline, Tyler, Reid, Chloe, Davis, Dylan, Mary B, J.W., BoBo, and Colin, as well as numerous great-grandchildren, and his siblings, Pam and Ken Hickman of Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Terry and Pam Collins of Houston, Texas.  Larry is predeceased by his daughter, Heather Collins, and his parents, Mildred Drinkard Collins and Sneed Noe Collins.

During his life, Larry dedicated himself to the service of his family, his community, and his Savior.  Soon after graduating from Cotter High School in 1964, Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country for nearly a decade.  Many years later, Larry was elected as a Lincoln County Commissioner of District 2 and during the twenty-two years that he served Lincoln County, he devoted his time and energy to shaping Lincoln County into a better place for its residents.  He took his role as County Commissioner seriously and worked tirelessly to represent those who had placed their faith and trust in him.  Larry's love of public service undoubtedly influenced those closest to him, and he was especially proud to see his son-in-law, Clay Smith, recently elected and sworn-in as the Sheriff of Lincoln County.  Larry placed his trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior and always sought to share the hope and love that he found in Him with others. He was a member of Lincolnton Baptist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir on Sunday mornings.

When he was not devoting his life to serving others, Larry loved vacationing at Edisto Island with Emmye, his children, and his grandchildren.  In the earliest years of their family vacations to Edisto, Larry vigilantly supervised his children while they swam in the Atlantic Ocean, ensuring that they didn't swim out too deep or get caught in rip currents.  After his children grew up, though, nothing made Larry happier than combing the shoreline of Edisto Beach for sharks' teeth before ending the day with a Low Country Boil at his and Emmye's favorite beach house.  His collection of sharks' teeth was unmatched.

Larry was an avid reader, loved a good book, and was often on the waitlist for the next new book to release at the Lincoln County Library. When he met a fellow reading enthusiast, he enjoyed sharing who his favorite authors were and talking about whatever book he had finished most recently.  More recently, Larry delighted in working with his model trains and sharing them with others.

Those who knew Larry knew him as a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened.  He was a role model to many, especially his sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons. Throughout his life, Larry coached multiple sports, including basketball at Wilkes Academy, Tee-ball, and Little League.  He worked in Human Resources at Mayfair Mills and Jimtex Yarns in Lincolnton, and Thomson Plastics in Thomson, Georgia.  After he retired, Larry continued to serve others by working at Beggs Funeral Home.

Larry will be dearly missed by his family, his community, and all those who had the privilege to know him.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lincolnton Baptist Church or Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 2pm at Lincolnton Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Lincolnton City Cemetery with military honors.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 19th from 5pm until 7pm at Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton.

Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton, is honored to serve the family of Mr. Larry Collins.