Allen T. "Buddy" Collins

Allen T. "Buddy" Collins, 66, of Abbeville, husband of Stella Stokes Collins, died peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood. He was born in Darlington, SC to the late Lexton A. & Mary Alice Folsom Collins. Buddy was a 1960 graduate of Hartsville High School and retired from the Milliken – Abbeville Plant with over 35 years of dedicated service and served in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He was a member of South Side Baptist Church where he was once active in many areas of the church having served as a Sunday School Teacher, former deacon, and music director. Buddy loved children and enjoyed working in the Abbeville Dixie Youth Association. He was past president of the Abbeville Panther Booster Club, served on the Abbeville City Zoning Board of Appeals and was employed with Harris Funeral Home. He was an avid Clemson football fan and was the voice of Abbeville High Panther Football for 17 years. Buddy or "Papa" as he was known by many, will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to all. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Bucky Collins. He is survived by his wife of 44 years of the home; two sons, Tim Collins and his wife Terri of Abbeville and Lee Collins and his wife Crystal of Greenwood; four grandchildren, Molly, Mary Brian, Timothy and Caitlin Collins; two sisters and three brothers. The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Monday, January 26, 2009 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 2:00PM Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at the Abbeville First Baptist Church with the Rev. Alvin Hodges and Mr. Lee Collins officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. The family is at the residence. The family respectfully request that memorial contributions may be made to the Abbeville High School Softball Field Fund, 701 Washington St., Abbeville, SC 29620 or to South Side Baptist Church, 505 West Greenwood St., Abbeville, SC 29620. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES is assisting the Collins family.