Rev. Albert Porter Collins

ORANGE -­- Albert Porter Collins went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 8, 2015 following a brief illness as a result of a seven-­-year bout with cancer.

He was born November 15, 1937 to Albert Porter Collins, Sr. and Nettie Jane (O’Brien) Collins in Randolph, Vermont.

At the age of fourteen, he made a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ, a choice that came to define the course and character of his entire life. Through the ministry and reopening of the East Randolph Baptist Church by his future father-­- in-­-law, Edward Emery, he not only came to know the Lord personally, but also met his wife, Virginia, whom he married on August 23, 1958.

He graduated from Nyack Missionary College in New York in 1958, and immediately began his 57-­-year career as a pastor. During his senior year in college, he filled in as a substitute at the Websterville Baptist Church, where he was surprised to be welcomed by Deacon Harry Miller as a candidate for their pastor vacancy. Shortly thereafter, he was hired fulltime, and served as pastor there for the next 47 years, ten of which he concurrently pastored the Washington Baptist Church. In 1975, he and Virginia founded the Websterville Baptist Christian School, a community institution that thrives even today. He “retired” in 2007, after which he began supply preaching in various churches in the central Vermont area and then became the pastor of the Topsham United Presbyterian Church for four years until his death. He played a critical role as a member of the Christian Schools of Vermont organization and proudly served for four years on the Central Vermont Care Net Pregnancy Center board.

Throughout his life, Albert and Virginia worked as a team. They were loving parents and ministered to people of all ages. They conducted countless church services with preaching and singing. As spiritual counselors, they led Bible study groups, youth groups, and mission trips. Many people were blessed to be in their home for dinner and fellowship. The family cherishes the memories of holidays, family trips, and dinners and walks together. Albert’s ministry reached far into the Central Vermont community and beyond. A great father, friend, listener, and storyteller, he loved to recount the ways God’s hand had been seen in his and others’ lives, and constantly gave thanks for his blessings, even in his final hours. Albert truly loved people, and lived his faith in every part of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia, of 56 years and their six children: Gloria (& William) Doran, Ronald (& Lea) Collins, Philip Collins, Paul (& Rebecca) Collins, Linda Collins, Peter Collins; and 20 grandchildren: Steven (& Heather), Kelly (& Robert), Megan, Erin, Michael (& Ashley), Christine, Micah (& Maryah), Christopher (& Nikki), Chad (& Jennifer), David, Robert, Jonah, Rebecca, Malaina, Cody, Brenden, Christina (& Philip), Jessica, Rebecca, and Guthrie; and 20 great-­-grandchildren. Albert’s brother, Galen (“Bud”) Collins and his wife, Mary, of Cornwall, Pennsylvania, and sister, Joyce and her husband, Keith Kayser of Redding, California, also survive him.

Calling hours will be on Friday, April 17, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Hooker & Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. A celebration of life service will be held at the Websterville Baptist Church at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 18.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his honor to either the Websterville Baptist Church or the Websterville Baptist Christian School, PO Box 1, Websterville, VT 05678.