Ronald Collins

Ronald Collins, of Mansfield, passed away August 3, 2015, at the age of 73.  Ronald retired from the Department of Transportation after 34 years of service, where he worked as a Materials and Research Engineer.  In 1996 he founded Pavement Technology, where he served as president, developing innovative asphalt testing equipment.  In addition, he was on the Board of Directors at the Western Research Institute. Some of Ronald's awards included: 1990, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner's Merit Award; 1994, AASHTO Alfred E. Johnson Award for outstanding contribution in engineering, Alliance for Transportation Research-Science and Ethics National Award, Georgia Crushed Stone Association Eagle Award; and in1997, Distinguished Research Award by Aggregate Foundation for Technology, Research and Education.  After being saved when he was 26, Ronald was a lay minister at several churches. He served as a deacon at Higgston Baptist Church and later at Mansfield Baptist Church, where he taught the Joy Sunday School Class for 34 years. He enjoyed farming, and watching basketball and westerns on television. Ronald especially loved ice cream, no matter the flavor!  He enjoyed being able to help people and will be remembered as a loving family man who enjoyed telling stories to his children, and later to his grandson and great-grandchildren.  Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas W. and Hazel W. Collins.

 

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Mantha Tyson Collins of Mansfield; daughters and son-in-law, Janina and Craig Dallas of Augusta, Laura K. Nelms of Oxford, Sarah E. Collins of Social Circle; son, Wade D. Collins of Oxford; grandson, Justin and Olivia Nelms of Covington; great-grandchildren, Rylee and Jackson Nelms; sister and brother-in-law, Glenda and Cecil Williamson of Ailey, GA; as well as two nephews.

 

A Funeral Service for Mr. Collins will be held Thursday, August 6, 2015, 2:00 PM, at Mansfield Baptist Church, 101 Woodlawn Road, in Mansfield, with Dr. Jeff Perkins, assisted by Dr. Craig Wilkes officiating.  Interment will follow in Lawnwood Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, in Covington, Wednesday, August 5, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.