1SG (Ret.) Ernest Olen Collins, age 73, of Clarksville, passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the chapel of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home with Pastor Dwayne James officiating. Full U.S. Army Honors will be rendered.
His family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, June 10, and again from 12 p.m. until the hour of service on Saturday at the funeral home.
Ernest entered into this life on September 18, 1948, in Morristown, TN to the late Robert and Nola Mae Wolfe Collins. Ernest selflessly served in the U.S. Army for twenty-four years completing tours in both Vietnam and the Gulf War. During his service in Vietnam, Ernest was combat wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. He was extremely patriotic and proud of his and his grandson's military service. He loved Jesus, his family, his country, and UT Athletics! If Ernest knew you, that meant you were family. Though he never met a stranger and was willing to help anyone, he would do anything in the world to love on his friends and family.
Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-one years, Sandra Holland Collins; daughters, Sandra Rector, Tracy (Michael) Russell; brothers, Robert Collins, Ronnie Collins; and his sister, Janice Short. Ernest was the proud and loving grandfather and great grandfather to Gary, Jake, Jared, Chelsea, Austin, Bailey, McKenzie and 12 great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be made to Ernest's family at NaveFuneralHomes.com
To
plant a beautiful memorial tree
in memory of 1SGT (Ret.) Ernest Olen Collins, please visit our
Tree Store.