Aaron J. Collins, 60, of Mansfield, Louisiana entered into eternal rest at Willis-Knighton North Medical Center (Shreveport, LA) on January 1, 2021. A graveside service was held at Shady Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Mansfield, Louisiana on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Officiating at the service were local pastors Dr. Ronnie Morris, Sr. (Higher Ground Ministries –Mansfield, LA) and Rev. Joe Wiggins, Jr. (New Oak Grove Baptist Church –Mansfield, LA).
Aaron Jerome Collins was born to the late Timothy Collins and the late Minnie Collins on April 27, 1960 in Mansfield, Louisiana. He was the third born of six children to this union.
For the past thirtynine years, he was the loving husband of Connie Joyce Jackson Collins. Jerome met his wife through a mutual friend. It was love at first sight. To their devoted union three children were born: Christy Lynn, Timothy Carl and Jessica Rose.
Jerome was educated in the DeSoto Parish Public School System, receiving his high school education from DeSoto High School (Mansfield, LA) . Jerome loved all sports, but his love for the game of football resulted in him becoming a very skillful player while at DeSoto High. Shortly after graduating from there, his work ethic and desire to serve lead to an enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 18.
Much of his work career was as a truck driver. At the time of his death, he was employed by High Roller Logistics, an over-the-road hauler headquartered in Center, Texas with a terminal yard located here in Mansfield, Louisiana.
In 1994, Jerome was called into full-time ministry as an Ordained Pastor. He later accepted the position of Executive Pastor of Corinth Baptist Church in Corinth, Texas. He also accepted the position of Executive Pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in Wemple, Louisiana. For a time, he pastored both churches simultaneously.
His wife Connie preceded him in death on December 22, 2020. Jerome is survived by his two brothers: Marvin Collins and Ken Collins; his three sisters: Sharon Collins, Constance Johns (Carranza), and Urekia Drain (Darryl); a granddaughter: Aralyn Joy Collins, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.