From the Jackson Progress-Argus, 29 July 1937
Veteran Citizen Died On Tuesday

Funeral services for Mr. James Madison Collins, 83 years of age, whose death on the Griffin road at 9:30 Tuesday morning followed a long illness, were to be held at Fellowship Presbyterian church Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock, eastern time. Services at the grave were in charge of Griffin and Ringgold Masonic lodges, following religious rites conducted by Rev. A. D. Whittemore, of Jenkinsburg, and Dr. C. C. Heard, of Locust Grove. County officers here acted as pallbearers and interment was in the family lot in the church cemetery.

Mr. Collins, one of the county's most prominent and widely beloved citizens, served as county surveyor for forty years. First elected in 1896 he was named for succeeding terms until 1936 when he declined to stand for re-election. He came from a family gifted in mathematics. His father served as county surveyor for a period of forty years and before that his grandfather, Sam W. Collins, was one of the original surveyors of lands between the Ocmulgee and Chattahoochee rivers. Upon retirement from office, due to advanced age, Mr. Collins was succeeded as surveyor by his grandson, Willis McElhenney, who was elected to that post in 1936.

Born December 31, 1854, Mr. Collins was a son of James A. Collins and Mary Foster Collins, connected with pioneer families of this section. His wife, the former Miss Amanda Benton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Benton of Monroe county, died on December 30, 1933.

A man of upstanding character and rugged honesty, Mr. Collins was loved and respected by all his acquaintances. He not only served the people of his only county, but frequently did surveying for those in adjoining counties. His work was of a high order and was marked by accuracy and thoroughness. He was a member of England's Chapel Methodist church and of Ringgold lodge No. 90, F. & A. M.

Surviving Mr. Collins are two sons, J. Walter Collins, of Macon, and Thomas J. Collins, teacher in Tech High School, Atlanta; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren ; seven brothers and sisters, Dr. T. J. Collins, of Griffin; Mrs. Nannie Fletcher, of Barnesville; Charles M. Collins, of Jackson; J. D. Collins, of Mexia, Texas; W. S. Collins and Miss Annie Collins, of Rockwall, Texas; Mrs. Mattie Pullin, of Dawson, Texas.

Obit Received Courtesy of Contributor:
SPMcD (48452228)