Eddie Collins was born near Jackson, Tennessee on July 4, 1932.
He attended local schools and graduated from Malesus High School in 1950. After graduation he worked as a union fireman for the L&N Railroad. After steam engines made firemen obsolete, Collins became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and worked for the Jackson Electric Department and then as an electrician’s helper on a construction site in Kentucky.
On January 2, 1954, he began work as a grocery clerk at the Kroger store in Jackson and soon joined the RCIA Local #1529 out of Memphis, Tennessee. Eddie became a steward and helped organize the National Tea Stores in Jackson. His hard work in the organizing campaign impressed several union officials and in early 1956, Collins went to work for the Union. The Union sent him to Baton Rouge, Louisiana local where he served as chief executive officer for six months.
He came back to Tennessee and served as a business agent for the Memphis local. Functioning as an RCIA international representative in 1958, Collins served in Shreveport, Louisiana and Jacksonville, Florida, and then in the fall of 1958, the RCIA sent him to Nashville as its deputy trustee. The International had put Local #1557 in Nashville under trusteeship and Collins was sent to Nashville to oversee the local until it got back on its feet. Collins and the members of the local union established a good relationship and on October 4, 1959, he was elected secretary-treasurer of the local by acclamation. Collins served as the CEO of Local 1557 until December 31, 1992. He inherited a union with less than 1000 members and built it into an organization with almost 8000 members.
Under Collins leadership Local 1557 touched the lives of its members in many areas. It negotiated pieces of the American dream and middle-class wages and benefits for thousands of its members. It also conducted vigorous organizing campaigns and was active in community and political affairs.
Finally, the local strove to bring more dignity to the work lives of its members.
Collins also found time to serve on other capacities. In October 1969, he was elected as a vice president of the Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council and as a member of that body’s executive board. Collins eventually became the first vice-president of the Council. During his career Collins served on Nashville’s Private Industry Council and the Tennessee Employment and Training Council.
He was selected as a member of Leadership Nashville and served as the chairman of UFCW 1557’s Health and Welfare Fund, and as a board member of the Tennessee Health Planning Council. Notably, Eddie served as election commissioner for Davidson Co.; and on the board of Metro Transit Authority in Nashville; as well as a deacon for First Baptist Church Joelton and participated in delivering meals to those in need; and also a member of the Lions Club in Whites Creek, Tennessee. Ed and Frankie were both collectors and dealers of the Aladdin lamps.
Eddie was preceded in death by parents, Oscar and Minnie Collins; sister, Ruth Olene Wall; and brother, Jimmy Neal Collins.
Most importantly of all, Eddie spent nearly 75 years married to Frankie Mullins Collins. They have four daughters, Sherry Lollar; Frieda (David) Ellis; Marlena Parrish; and Christi Fry; 14 grandchildren, Michael Jason; Carrie; Joshua; Randy Wayne; Maryann; Shannon; David J.; Mitchell; Bryan; Sam; Joseph; Chelsea; Charis; and Cassidy; 21 great-grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
NOW THIS IS LOVE.
How about some good news that is sure to make you smile?
Meet a great couple.
Edward and Frankie Collins live in Whites Creek TN.
They have been in the same home for 58 years.
They met at a pond where Edward was swimming and Frankie and some of her friends came walking by.
Frankie still remembers it well.
Sadly, Edward has dementia so he most days doesn’t have any memory of it.
But she still lights up his day.
Visitation took place Sunday Jan. 4th from 4PM – 8PM at Anderson and Garrett Funeral Home. On Monday Jan. 5th Graveside Service was held at 2:30PM at Joelton Hills Memory Gardens with burial to follow. https://www.andersonandgarrett.com
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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