Benjamin Franklin Collins, Jr

Benjamin Franklin Collins Jr, 98 of Greensboro passed away Saturday November 6, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday at Pocket Presbyterian Church in Sanford, NC, where Mr. Collins will lie in state beginning at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.

Mr. Collins was born in Weldon, NC, a son of the late Benjamin Franklin Collins Sr, and Necie Keeter Collins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Doris Marie Gilliam Collins; siblings, Marjorie Campbell, Helen King, Babs Evans, and Rev Donald Collins.

Mr. Collins had a very distinguished career. In January of 1943 he entered the Army Air Corp (now the US Air Force). He was a member of the 81st Bomb Squad, 12th Bomb Group, 10th Air Force. As a Radio Gunner of a B25 Bomber he flew 79 combat missions serving in the China-Burma-India Theater receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters. After serving in the military, he went to UNC Chapel Hill, enrolled in the School of Pharmacy where he met and married his wife, Doris. In the 1960’s he and Doris became owners of Crutchfield-Browning Drug Store in Greensboro and worked side by side until their retirement in 1991.

Ben loved serving others. He was a Cub Scout leader, president of a Greensboro Rotary club, a Deacon and a Sunday school teacher at his church Guilford Park Presbyterian. An avid Carolina fan he enjoyed organizing trips and gave to numerous charities.
He enjoyed hunting with the favorite call “Over the Field”. Ben also enjoyed fishing, telling jokes and had a love for animals. He loved cooking for people and always had an extra seat at the table for whomever was around.

Mr. Collins is survived by his children, Elizabeth C. “Beth” Earle (Kenneth) of Greensboro, Steven Franklin Collins of Greensboro, and Cornelia M. “Connie” Collins (Theron Johnson) of Liberty and Theron’s children Tiffany Johnson Jones (Derek) and Ryan Johnson (Monica); two grandchildren, Alexander B. Earle (Emily) and Lindsay Earle DeFalco (Derek); four great grandchildren, Connor, Jack, Dylan, and Blake.

Memorial contributions can be made to Pocket Presbyterian Church, 669 Pocket Church Rd, Sanford, NC 27330; or to Guilford Park Presbyterian Church, 2100 Fernwood Dr, Greensboro, NC 27408.