House Resolution 103

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY AND SERVICE OF VIETNAM WAR VETERAN, MR. CHARLES "CLIFF" WILSON COLLINS, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Charles "Cliff" Wilson Collins to eternal rest on Saturday, February 25, 2023, as he made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, the City of Greenwood and the entirety of Leflore County, Mississippi, lost a revered community pillar, master builder, innovator and craftsman with the passing of Mr. Collins, born in Drew, Mississippi, on November 29, 1948, to the union of his late parents, Mr. Dewitt Collins and Mrs. Beatrice Wilson Collins, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, having grown up in Minter City, Mississippi, with 13 siblings, "Cliff," as he was affectionately called, enjoyed the "country boy" lifestyle, working on the family farm, having fun with cousins and neighborhood friends; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Collins attended Amanda Elzy High School, where he developed lifelong friendships and an appreciation for learning, and also met his soulmate, the former Miss Cassie Mae Osborne, whose heart he impressed with his love, chivalry and affection, and after a proper courtship he requested her hand in marriage, gifting her his last name in an exchange of nuptials on May 18, 1977, a union that was blessed with the addition of two daughters; and

WHEREAS, during his 20s, Mr. Collins was compelled to answer Uncle Sam's call to patriotic service, at which time he enlisted in the United States Air Force, evidencing his allegiance to the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in a free democracy while serving his country during the Vietnam War era, and upon the fulfillment of his sworn oath to faithfully defend the Constitution of the United States against foreign and domestic threats, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force and returned to Minter City to help his parents with farming duties, in addition to attending Coahoma Community College, where he earned an associate of arts degree in agriculture and construction studies; and

WHEREAS, transitioning to the workforce, Mr. Collins initially worked in the trucking industry for many years as a cross-country long-haul driver, and thereafter committed a portion of his work life to the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, before becoming gainfully employed as a senior heavy machinery operator by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, from which he would retire in November 2011; and

WHEREAS, relying on the tenets of faith instilled in him by his parents, Mr. Collins remained cognizant of the words recorded in I John 3:2, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is," and rededicated his life to Christ, uniting him in fellowship with Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, where his devotion to kingdom building was made evident in his active stewardship as a regular attendee at Bible study and Sunday School, as well as participating in the Laymen's Ministry, assisted with church beautification projects, participated in Men's Day programs; and

WHEREAS, an individual of good rapport, whose reputation as a Good Samaritan, willing to help anyone in need, especially his neighbors and seniors, Mr. Collins was a quiet storm for a man of few words, but when he did speak, he spoke with the sage wisdom and sound logic of the ancestral elders; and

WHEREAS, one who possessed a keen understanding of the importance of family, "Cliff" took great pleasure in spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, landscaping and meticulously manicuring his yard, painting, taking on building projects, watching "westerns," taking cathartic drives in his truck, drinking Dr. Pepper, eating Cassie's homecooked meals, and socializing with all who knew him; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed life's river to now stand upon the celestial shores in wonderment of Heaven's grandeur in glorious reunion with the kindred spirits of loved ones who transitioned before him, the memories of Mr. Collins will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of his survivors: his loving wife, Cassie Mae Osborne Collins; children, Kanika (Reginald) Collins Sharp and Dr. Shani (Timothy) Collins Woods; Charles Blanchard and Michael Blanchard; grandchildren, Sidney, Reginald II and Lailah Sharp; siblings, Ricky Collins, Ronnie (Brenda) Collins, Ethel Day and Dr. Patricia (Arnhein) Cumbee; and a host of relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the Collins family to find solace from these words recorded in II Corinthians 1:3-4, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the monumental life of genuine individuals of Mr. Collins' caliber, whose life personified the heart of Christ, which struck a melodious chord with all he encountered along his earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss, commemorate the life, service and legacy of Mr. Charles "Cliff" Wilson Collins, and express deepest sympathy upon his passing to his family and friends.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Charles "Cliff" Wilson Collins and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.