February 1, 1934 ~ August 8, 2020
Born in: New Albany , MI
Resided in:
Carson, CA
Clifton Hayes Collins, a 60-year resident of Los Angeles County, including the last 42 in Carson CA, passed away on Saturday August 8, 2020 in Torrance, CA, at the age of 86.
Born in New Albany, Mississippi to Leroy and Beatrice (Davis) Collins on February 1, 1934, Clifton served in the United States Marine Corps between 1951 and 1955, and had achieved the rank of Sergeant upon his date of honorable discharge. In 1960, Clifton married Vivian Carr, and their 18 year union produced four children, Terri (Shumpert), Jackie (Jones), Vicki, and Christian.
Clifton’s career highlights include working in the insurance industry at New York Life in downtown Los Angeles, and a 25 year career at Rockwell International (Space Division), where he and his co-workers experienced the origins, highs, and lows of the Space Shuttle program.
Clifton loved to sing and was a choir director at Greater Faith Temple in Los Angeles, as well as a lead singer of the group The Gospel Dimensions. He loved to fish, cook, and grill. Despite a stroke in 1990, Clifton continued to remain as active as possible, and continue to cook and entertain friends and family. He peacefully passed from this life to the next in the early morning of August 8, in Torrance.
Clifton is survived by his four children from his marriage, plus a son, Javontae, from a subsequent relationship, as well as by brothers William and Charles, and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by longtime friend, companion, and nurse Maria Cortez. His parents (Leroy and Beatrice), his two sisters, (Ruby Grissom and Florence Allen Samuels), and two of his four brothers (John Leroy and James Earl) preceded him in death.
Services will be private. The family deeply appreciates and expresses gratitude for all prayers and love shown during Clifton’s life and during this time.
I want you to know that I miss you and I always will. Daddy you were the first man I ever loved and I was blessed to be your daughter and honored to be with you through so many events and occasions. When you became sicker I was happy to be there for you every step of the way,it wasn’t always easy but I hung on there, I am heartbroken that I couldn’t be there at the end of your life in person but I was right by your side in spirit. I will always and forever remember what you said to me on that Sunday morning with love and gratefulness. I know that you’re in a better place with a renewed body, no more pain, no more suffering. So now I will think of you as my Guardian Angel.
Rest in Paradise Daddy until we meet again. You have loved me my whole life, and I will love you for the rest of my life
Thank you, Paulette, for those very kind words and for your prayers. Many blessings – Christian
Thank you Paulette for your kind words, I almost forgot that he was a deacon. I appreciate your prayers and support throughout all of this
I will miss talking to you on you and my husbands birthday February 1st but i have peace knowing your not suffering or in any more pain🙌🏽 I LOVE YOU Uncle Cliff, (Naz-a-Mae) ❤️😭
Nazmye, what beautiful words. Blessings to you and your family. – Christian
LOVE YOU UNCLE CLIFF…..ONE OF THE COOLEST AND LAID BACK PEOPLE I KNOW……I REMEMBER THAT CLASSIC ALBUM YOU HAD WITH THE GOSPEL DIMENSIONS…..MY DAD PLAYED IT OVER AND OVER EVERYDAY 😁😁…..YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED………REST IN PARADISE UNC….. NO MORE PAIN….❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
DeShawn, thanks cousin. Daddy was pretty cool. Thank you for sharing your memories and take care of Uncle Willie, I know he’s taking this pretty hard. I love you guys, I’ll have to go over and listen to that album with him
Thank you, Mr. Deshawn, for the kind words. I remember listening to the group’s rehearsals when I was young (not yet playing an instrument), not realizing that years later I’d be in a band myself. Blessings and comfort to you, Christian
Thank you cousin for your kind words and for sharing your memories with your Uncle Cliff. I also thank your for the laughs we had remembering different times with daddy, laughter is the cure for most things and it was good to laugh. Thank you
The days ahead may be challenging. The loss of a loved one is often over-whelming, and words seem insignificant. But I pray that you find comfort in knowing that his love for you and your family remains- always. That infinite love will visit you in the form of fond memories. It will show up when you love on your family members and is the greatest inheritance.
He is present with our Lord, and I hope you have an opportunity to celebrate his remarkable life. God bless you and your family.
Love,
Tiffiani Frye and family
Thank you, Tiffiani, for the kind words. Blessings, Christian
Tiffany thank you so much for your heartfelt words they are so very comforting to my heart and my soul. Sis thank you for always being that strength I needed in my times of need. Thank you on behalf of me and my family. I love you and the girls so very much
Thanks dear family. I didn’t see what you posted but I know it was full of the love you’ve shown me for the last
42 years. Continued blessings, Christian.
Thank you so much for expressing your condolences and prayers for my family. I wasn’t able to read the message but the fact that you reached out is a blessing to us. Thank you
Thank you for your condolences and your prayers it is truly a blessing to us in our time of bereavement. Thank you
Thank you, Gary and Karen – for all three of your messages! Love you. Christian
Something went wrong and it kept saying my message hadn’t posted. Love You!
My Sissy Jackie I’m sending you hugs !
Mr. Collins I Will Never Forget The First Time I Meet You Was My Visit With Jackie Your Face Lit Up And You Smiled With That Infectious Smile !
It Comforts My Heart That I Had That Moment With You 🙂
You Can Rest Now No More Pain,,, Your Body Is A Healthy One Rest In Love And The Arms Of Jesus !
Don’t Worry About Your Love Jackie I Will With Many Others Make Sure Shes Good !
🙏🏾👣🌹❤️ Infinity Love Sissy Jackie 💜
Sissy, thank you so much for your prayers for me and my family. You have been a rock for and I thank you for always being there.
We shared the laugh about your first time meeting daddy and your instincts were right, I’m glad you have that special memory of him. I love you and I thank you
6608 Hermsley Rd
Charlotte North Carolina 28278
Thank you so much for your condolences and your prayers for our family during this time of bereavement
Thank you for lighting a candle for my dad, on behalf of me and my family we appreciate you
Thanks, friend. Blessings – Christian
Leatha thank you so much sis, yes my daddy meant the world to me and he will be missed but I’m finding peace in the knowledge of he’s no longer suffering. He’s with the Lord and there’s no better place to be.
Thank you on behalf of my family and I for your prayers and support. I’ll call you soon. Love you
Love you all dearly❤️
Thank you, Miss Ruby. Blessings – Christian
Thanks Ruby, your words of support and encouragement blesses my heart. Thank you for remembering us in your prayers.
Omgosh Paige 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢reading your words just made this hit me even harder if that is even possible.
I want to say “Thank You” for all you did to help me with your Grandpa. The weekly trips to the grocery store, no one could deal with him driving the electric shopping cart like you could 😂😂😂😂😂 you had the patience to go with him and I thank you so much. Thank you for all the trips after getting off from work to take him something to eat, thank you for always being so willing to go and help him with whatever whenever he needed something. He loved and enjoyed going to feed the ducks with the kids too. Thank you for all the wonderful times you showed daddy in the nursing home by taking the kids to see him, your visits were the highlights of his days.
Always know this, you did everything to make your Grandpa happy and be proud of that fact. We will remember him together forever with love ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️