Mr. Charles Eugene Collins of Tampa passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, July 25 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, 2606 W. Grace Street with Pastor T. D. Leonard, officiating. Please follow the CDC guidelines. Masks are required. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery.
Mr. Charles Eugene Collins was one of six boys born to the late Fred and Ceola Collins. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Fred and Leroy Collins.
Charles was a native of Tampa, Florida and he accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church. Charles attended Hillsborough County Schools and graduated from Howard W. Blake High School, Class of 1961. He furthered his education with Gibbs Junior College, St. Petersburg, FL earning his Associates of Arts degree. Charles then matriculated to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership.
Charles dedicated 40 years of his life educating and empowering the lives of the children in Hillsborough County schools. He was an outstanding educator and served in the Human Relations Office. Charles also coached baseball and was a Big Brother to so many young men in the community. As a Big Brother, Charles purchased ten season tickets for him and his young mentees to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football games.
As a lifelong member of Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, Charles was a member of the Trustee Board and Usher Board #3. He also gave of his time and talent as the Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School and Director of Vacation Bible school, and taught as a Sunday school teacher, Charles was very active in his church and a dedicated member since childhood. His life has truly been one of purpose and service.
Charles holds a life membership in the FAMU Alumni Tampa Chapter and Retired Alumni Chapter. He was also a member of the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP, Howard W. Blake Boosters, and an active member of the Blake Class of 1961.
Charles was dedicated to supporting his family and community. His generous, kind, and spiritual reputation has created bonds of love, respect, admiration, and friendship throughout the community and his church.
Charles leaves memories with: Pearlie, his wife of fifty-three years; daughter, Cassandra Collins; one grandson, Charles Edward Xavier Doss; one granddaughter, Gabrianna Collins McNealy; great grandson, Charles Edward Xavier Doss Jr.; brothers, Roland Collins, Robert Collins, and Norris Collins (Dr. Carolyn); brothers-in-law, Julius Baker (Lillie), and Alex Baker (Mary); sisters-in-law, Betty Blanks, and Glenda Crawford (John); nieces, Terri Collins, and Sophia Gloson (Tory); nephews, Norris Collins, Jr. (Esperanza), Dr. Corey Collins (Dr. Gwenesia), and Darryl Collins; cousin, Tina Solomon (Charles); a special god sister, Beverly Footman; the Wilsons, Coneys, Warrens, Collins, Allens, Jones, Neal, and Mathis families and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and truly great friends.
The Visitation will be held Friday, July 24, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue. We are asking family and friends to follow the CDC guidelines. Masks are required.
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