Mike Collins

Mr. Michael Carl Collins, age 58 of Algood, Tennessee, died Monday evening, October 24, 2016, at his home with his loving family at his bedside. A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 30, 2016, at 2:30 p.m. at Church on the Hill in Algood, Tennessee. Dr. Paul Ramsey, Jr. will officiate. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1:30 p.m. until time of service. A reception will be held at the church following the service. Mike was born on December 7, 1957, in Jackson, Tennessee, to the late Sammy Wade and Peggy Joyce Cupples Collins. He was a 1975 graduate of Jackson Central-Merry High School in Jackson, Tennessee. During his prep years, he was a baseball standout. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was a lifelong fan of the Volunteers. Mike moved to Cookeville in 1989 and began working at ABF Freight Systems, Inc. as the local terminal manager. In February 2015 he retired from United Medical where he was employed as a sales manager. Mike was a founding member of The Algood BBQ Pit Crew. He enjoyed participating in bbq competitions all over the state and southeast. He enjoyed coaching young people in baseball and was a beloved youth baseball coach for many years. He was an avid hunter and a champion duck caller. He was a member by baptism at Church on the Hill. Mike had an enthusiastic outlook on life. He was always looking on the bright side of situations, whether they were good or bad. He was likeable and had many friends. He met the needs of others, often without them knowing. He will be dearly missed by all. Mike is survived by his wife, Shawn Daniels Collins; sons, Craig Collins, Wade Collins, and Cooper Collins; brother, Rick (Trudy) Collins of Murfreesboro; nieces, Brooke Travis and Blair Akers; step-children, Celina Unzueta, Olivia Unzueta, and Xavier Unzueta; special friends, Milt and Amy Collins; nephew, Bert Collins; special neighbors, Don and Jerri Payne and David and Debbie Adams; and the mother of his two oldest children, Leta Collins. The Collins family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Chet Gentry for his dedicated above and beyond care of Mike. Also, special thanks to caregivers Crystal McCarter, Lisa Ashburn, and Kirstin Hood with Elk Valley Health Services and to Debbie Bowman and Tracy Brown with Silver Angels. Memorial contributions may be made to The ALS Association Tennessee Chapter, P. O. Box 40244, Nashville, Tennessee 37204-0244 www.alstn.org. Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931) 526-6111. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.