Earl Ray Collins

Notes:

Earl Ray Collins, 79, 167 Sunrise Drive, Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord Saturday, January 30, 2010, in the Johnson City Medical Center.

A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Maynard R. and Carma Williams Collins. Mr. Collins was a retired employee of Mapes Piano String Company after 50 years of service. He was an active member of Hunter United Methodist Church. He was a member of the American Legion and the Unaka Rod & Gun Club. His hobbies were woodworking, gardening and bird watching. He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include his wife of fifty six years: Kathryn Nidiffer Collins. Five Sisters: Bernie Pierce, Lola Bowers, Novella Heaton and Betty Edwards and husband Andy all of Elizabethton and Myrtle Gillian and husband Ken, Kingston, Tenn. Four Brothers: Willard, Arthur, Luther and Bob Collins, all of Elizabethton. Sisters and Brothers-in-law: Jay & Katie Nidiffer, Jack & Joann Perkins, and Link & Carolyn Nidiffer of Elizabethton. Special cousin: Jan Showalter of Johnson City. Several nieces & nephews.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Hunter United Methodist Church with the Rev. Roger Mathess officiating. Interment will follow in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Music will be provided by David Estep, Pianist, Marilyn Bowers, Organist and Katrina Nidiffer, Soloist. Active Pallbearers who are requested to assemble at the church at 1:50 p.m. Tuesday will be: C. H. Taylor, Lee Gay, Bill Cline, Emerson Smith, Dean Boone, Paul Waters, Chris Guy, Jimmy Bowling and Clarence Reed. Honorary pallbearers will be: Tony Bowers, Roger Hamm, Dwight Reece, Charlie Jones, Hugh Buckles and his church family. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion & Tn. National Guard. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Friends may also call at the residence.

Earl married Kathryn Nidiffer about 1952. Kathryn (daughter of Andrew J. Nidiffer and Josephine N. Nave) was born about 1932 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 14 Jul 2017 in Washintgon County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]