James Merrel Collins

Funeral services celebrating the life of James Merrel Collins, age 88 will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 12, 2019 at the Vivian Church of the Nazarene, 1517 N. Pine Street, Vivian, LA with a visitation from 11:30 A.M. until 1:30 P.M. Officiating the service will be Pastor John Ford. Interment will follow in the Vivian Cemetery. Merrel was born in Trees, Louisiana on January 24, 1931 to Robert E. Lee Collins and Maggie Griffith Collins and passed away on September 9, 2019 at his son's residence in Shreveport, LA. He retired from UOP after 42 years of service. One of his greatest joys was helping to build the Vivian Church of the Nazarene where he was a member. He loved his church, his pastor and each member. Merrel loved to garden and share the fruits from his garden to many families in the Vivian area. In earlier years, Merrel and his wife, Ruby were very involved with the Vivian Redbud Festival. He loved spending time with his family and family was always first with him. Merrel was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Peggy Collins, second wife, Ruby June Collins, 5 brothers, 1 sister and Ruby's children, Gloria Herring and Ron Dowd. He is survived by his sons and their wives, Chuck and Lisa Collins of Shreveport, LA, Kenny and Cheryl Collins of San Tan Valley, AZ; daughter-in-law, Nyla Dowd of Frisco, TX. Merrel is also survived by his grandchildren, Noah Collins, Justin Collins, Megan McGaha, Dave Herring, Rob Herring, Jay Dowd and Jacy Dowd; 12 great grandchildren, Cheyann, Freya, Ty, Hunter, Anna Grace, Rylan, Lilly, D'arcy, Shay, Thomas, Dina, Tedi and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Honoring Merrel as pallbearers will be Lee Atkins, Billy Atkins, Charles Martin, Jack Martin, Rob Collins, and James Festervand. In lieu of flower, the family has suggested that donations may be made to the Vivian Church of the Nazarene Building Fund, 1517 N. Pine Street, Vivian, LA 71082.