James Michael "Big Mike" Collins
Class of 1966
 

James Michael ''Big Mike'' Collins, 52, of the 3800 block of Griffin Street, died March 2, 2001, in a local hospital.

Mr. Collins was predeceased by his parents, James E. Collins and Theresa McLendon Collins. He was a pipefitter for shop 56 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He was a member of Biltmore Baptist Church, an Army veteran of Vietnam, a member of the Catholic Club Portsmouth, an avid NASCAR fan, and a little league coach.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna L. ''Nora'' Collins of Suffolk; his stepson, David L. McNew of Ocracoke, N.C.; his sister, Deborah C. Nyman and husband, Carl, of Wakefield, Va.; his brother, William H. Collins and wife, Debi B., of Suffolk; grandchild, Cheyenne Collins-Miller; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, by the Rev. T.M. Frye. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. today and at other times at his residence.

All that knew him, loved him, and he will be greatly missed.