Edward Lee Collins

February 7, 1937 – May 18, 2026

Edward Lee Collins, known to all who loved him as Eddie, passed away on May 18, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia, at the age of 89, after complications from a fall. A man of unwavering loyalty and quiet generosity, Eddie leaves behind a legacy defined not by grand gestures but by the steady, dependable presence he offered to everyone fortunate enough to call him a friend.

Eddie was born on February 7, 1937, in Danville, Virginia, to the late Louise Dix Collins and
Lewis White Collins. He grew up in Danville before completing two years of study at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Following his time at Virginia Tech, Eddie answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army, a chapter of his life that reinforced the discipline, integrity, and sense of duty that would define his character for decades to come.

After his military service, Eddie built a long and successful career as a general contractor. He took pride in his work, applying the same reliability and attention to detail to his profession that he brought to every aspect of his life. He eventually settled in Richmond, Virginia, where he made his home and became an active member of the Tuckahoe Moose Family Center, Lodge #1163.

Eddie was a devoted husband to Nancy and a loving father who held his family at the center of his world. He was also an avid golfer who cherished the annual guys’ trip to Myrtle Beach each year. Equally beloved was the yearly Nags Head fishing trip, though family and friends would be the first to tell you that Eddie rarely came home with much of a catch. What he did bring home from those trips, without fail, were stories, laughter, and memories that bound his circle of friends even closer together.
If you were a friend of Eddie’s, you remained a friend until the end. He visited friends in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, kept in touch by telephone, and never let distance or circumstance weaken a bond. If someone was in need, Eddie was there to help, and he expected nothing in return. His loyalty and trustworthiness were not qualities he merely possessed; they were qualities he practiced every single day. 

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruby Light; and his daughter, Denise Melton. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy W. Collins; his daughter, Janet L. Collins; and his son, James V. Cole.

Eddie’s faith in Christ sustained him throughout his life, and his family takes comfort in knowing he rests now in the peace and grace he so deeply believed in.

There will be no funeral gatherings at this time. A Celebration of Life may be held later in 2026, and details will be shared with family and friends as plans are made.

For those who knew Eddie and spent time with him, please know and believe that he loved and appreciated every one of you. You were a friend for life.