Charles D.R. Collins

CHARLES D. R. COLLINS, son of the late Walker Collins and Irene Chester, was born on September 24, 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland. He went to be with the Lord on March 25, 2006 after a lengthy illness. He received his education in the Baltimore City Public School System, achieving an associate of arts degree from the Community College of Baltimore. He served and was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force during the second World War spending most of his tour overseas. Upon returning home, he joined the Baltimore City Police Department, and was one of the first black officers. He served the department until 1957. In 1955 Charles joined the VFW Post #8509 and soon became a life member. He held many seats: the first black Dist. Commander in Area 13, the first black Department Officer for the State of Maryland and the first black OTI of the VFW. Charles held various jobs, but law enforcement was in his blood. In 1967, he was employed as a school police officer, serving at Wm. H. Lemmel, Frederick Douglass High School and Garrison Middle School until retiring in 1988. He was a great mentor to a host of school kids. Charles received the Lord early in life, and became a member of Grace Memorial as a young man. He left Grace to assist a friend and pastor, Rev. Horress Madden to build the Center Union Baptist Church. He served as deacon there until the death of his brother David. He then decided to return to his home church, Grace Memorial, under the ministry of Pastor Irvin Pope, where he served faithfully, always supporting his pastor as a deacon deacon’s deacon, a mentor, a visionary, loving Bible class, Sunday school, a praying man, a singing man, a man after God’s own heart; Pastor Pope called him “Uncle Charles.” Charles was also a family man and a people person. He made friends everywhere he’d go. He was a no-nonsense type of person. He had no problem letting you know what was on his mind. He loved to cook, to laugh, to sing, to write, to vacation in Ocean City, and to joke. He was giving and caring to family, friend and foe. When he didn’t hear from you for a while he would call and say to you “Is your finger broke?” Even with the constant pain of his many illnesses, it never stopped him from being real. There will never be another Charles Dill Ryan Collins. He leaves to mourn: two sons, Charles David Bagley and Jeffery L. Watson; daughter, Charlene Vaughn of Charleston, West Virginia (daughter Jean Vaughn deceased); five nieces, Sheilda Smith, Bernadine White, Ruby Myers, Paulette Williams and Kim Wilson; devoted cousins, Lavanda D. Harris, Geneva (Snooks) Lucas and Ruth Crawford; five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, two nephews; devoted cousin, Sharon Alford Cuffie; a special adopted Jewish mother and sister; special friend, Carolyn Anderson; a host of other cousins, relatives, friends, comrades and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Tributes

Charles D.R. Collins

September 24, 1924 - March 25, 2006