Irene Collins

Died: Nov. 4, 2009

SEVIERVILLE -- Irene Collins, 71, of Sevierville, formerly of Greeneville, died Wednesday at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.

"She went to be with the Lord," her family stated.

"She was a dedicated employee of The Apple Barn."

Mrs. Collins attended Freedom Fellowship Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 54 years: Harry Gene Collins; two sons: Mike Collins and his wife, Jama, and Tony Collins; a daughter and her husband: Debbie and Gary Brackins; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers and their wives: Floyd and Carolyn Melton of Greeneville and Jackie and Sandy Melton of North Carolina; her sisters-in-law and their husbands: Dorothy and Harold Reynolds of Tusculum and Judy and Ross Seaton of Afton; a special aunt: Helen Ricker; several nieces, nephews and cousins; a number of special friends, including her coworkers at Apple Barn; and special caregivers: her doctors and nurses at Fort Sanders Medical Center.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dennis Melton, her mother, Inellie Jones Melton, and a sister, Jeanette Melton Knight.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville.

The funeral service will follow visitation at 4 o'clock in the West Chapel of the funeral home. The Rev. Curtis Wells and the Rev. Jimmy Boling will officiate.

A committal service will be held at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon in Shiloh Cemetery in Greene County. The Rev. Bill Maples will officiate.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Jason Brackins, Mark Brackins, Travis Collins, Chad Huskey, Mack Ellis, and Mitchell Hodges.

Memorial contributions may be made to benefit the family, c/o Atchley Funeral Home, 118 E. Main St., Sevierville, TN 37862.

A guest book is available for signing online at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com