Honoring The Life and Legacy of Jesse Vincent Collins

March 17, 1945 - December 11, 2017

God saw you getting tired.  A cure was not to be, so He put His arms around you and whispered, "Come with Me."  With tearful eyes and much admiration, we witnessed your faith, strength and tenacity to fight the good fight.

In spite of this, your generous, humble and extraordinary soul is now at rest.

On December 11, 2017, the trumpets sounded and the heavens rejoiced as Jesse Vincent Collins entered heaven's gates at the age of 72.  He was born March 17, 1945 in Prairie Ronde, Louisiana to the late Julia Jones Collins and Abe Collins.

He attended Mamou Elementary, Junior High and High School where he excelled in math and science and was a member of the Demons Basketball Team.  After high school,  Jesse moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana where he worked as a mechanic and attended Sowela Technical College.  He then became a Plant Operator at Olin Chemical (also known as ARCH Chemical/Lonza) where he retired in 2010 after working 45 years on the job.  Jesse was a hard worker with strong work ethics and high standards.

On  August 27, 1969, he married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Eula Mae Thomas Collins.  From this union their daughter, Hope Catrice Collins Montgomery was born.  Jesse was a faithful member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church where he attended mass six days a week, sitting in the same pew each service next to his brother, Calvin.

Jesse was a gentle, fun-loving, laid back man with strong convictions.  He had a love of family like no other and was always there to assist and serve his family, friends, church and community.  He loved fishing, hunting and sports (football/basketball/baseball/softball).   He was a die-hard New Orleans Saints fan, indeed.  As an adult, he led and played softball for the Lake Charles Cobras.  Until he was forced to put his sneakers away, Jesse walked two miles a day at the Pryce/Miller Recreation Center and joined friends in various awareness campaigns and events at the center.

Jesse was a hands on kind of man, especially with his grandchildren.  He was actively involved in their care and lives until he was called home, despite the distance.  It was nothing for him to jump in his truck and make the trip to Texas with or without notice.  The Best Papa Ever!  During his journey with cancer, it was his faith in God, his strength and the love of family that ignited him to face whatever health crisis came his way.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eula Mae Collins, his parents Abe and Julia Collins, two brothers, Amos Collins, Sr. and Aaron Collins, Sr.; two sisters, Hester Leblanc and Florence Thomas;  his mother-in-law, Sovelia Guillory Reed; father-in-laws, Sandis Reed, Jr. and Clement Thomas, Sr.; five brother-in-laws, Herbert LeBlanc, Sr., Fanley Thomas, Eugene Celestine, McKinley Thomas and Clement Thomas, Jr. and three sister-in-laws, Mary Louwilda Collins, Oline Collins and Mary Lee Duhon.

He leaves to cherish his memory and live his legacy, his daughter, Hope Collins (Eric) Montgomery; daughter, Stephanie Matthews (LaOris) Mitchell; son, James (Demetria) Matthews; 10 grandchildren; two brothers, Joseph Calvin (Mary Lou) Collins and Chester (Jo) Collins - Lake Charles, La.; three sisters, Joyce Celestine and Julia Bell - Mamou, La., Mary Alice Joubert - Lake Charles, La; sister-in-law, Willie Mae Jackson and brother-in-law, Herbert Thomas - Lake Charles, La; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.