Private graveside services for Deward Collins, 87, West Plains, Missouri, were held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 2, 2020, at the Siloam Springs Cemetery, with Brother Lloyd Collins officiating, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains. He was born the son of the late Elmer Collins and Esther Collins Collins, on August 22, 1932 in Siloam Springs, Missouri and died March 31, 2020 at his home in West Plains, Missouri. He was united in marriage December 18, 1955 in Miami, Oklahoma to Norma Lewin. He is survived by his wife, Norma Lewin Collins, of the home, West Plains, Missouri; eleven children, Ricky Collins (Charlene), Tulsa, Oklahoma; Timmy Collins (Tina), West Plains, Missouri; Linda Barks (Ricky), West Plains, Missouri; Sheila Sanders (Mike), West Plains, Missouri; Brenda Aul, Springfield, Missouri; Debbie Barks, West Plains, Missouri; Deward Collins, Jr. (Lindsey) West Plains, Missouri; Teresa Brewood (T.J.) Siloam Springs, Arkansas; Rachel Redburn (Rolin) West Plains, Missouri; Chris Collins (Dale) Willow Springs, Missouri, and Jessie Collins (David) West Plains, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Linda Collins; twenty- nine grandchildren; fifty plus great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Homer, Thurlo, Norman, and Melvin Collins; one sister, Barbara Stillwell; three sons-in-law, William Barks, Mike Sanders, David Collins and one grandson, Anson Collins. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish and go coon hunting. He loved to work in his yard, and was a big Royals baseball fan. But most of all he loved his family and spending time with them all. He served his country in the United States Army. Burial will be in Siloam Springs Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
