James Allen Collins (born September 23, 1976) is an American Funeral director and politician from Georgia. Collins is the former mayor of Villa Rica, Georgia and a Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives for District 68.[1]
J. Collins | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Dustin Hightower |
| Constituency | 68th District (2017–2023) 71st District (2023–Present) |
| Mayor of Villa Rica, Georgia | |
| In office 2003–2016 | |
| Succeeded by | Mike Williamson (interim) Shirley Marchman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Allen Collins September 23, 1976 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Holly Reece Collins |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence(s) | Villa Rica, Georgia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Funeral director, politician |
| Known for | Elected as the youngest mayor of Villa Rica, Georgia. |
Early life
editCollins' parents are a school teacher and a grocer. Collins' grandfather was J. Edwin Busbin, a funeral home director. Collins attended Villa Rica Elementary School.[2][3]
Education
editCollins attended West Georgia College. In February 2000, Collins graduated from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. In September 2000, Collins received his license as a Funeral Director and Embalmers.[2]
Career
editIn 1997, Collins began working in funeral service. On July 1, 2002, Collins became a funeral home director and owner of J. Collins Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Villa Rica, Georgia.[2][4]
In November 2003, Collins was elected as the youngest mayor of Villa Rica, Georgia. Collins served as mayor until 2016. Mike Williamson served as interim Mayor until a new mayor was elected in November 2016.[5][3][4]
On November 8, 2016, Collins won the election unopposed and became a Republican member of Georgia House of Representatives for District 68.[6] On November 6, 2018, as an incumbent, Collins won the election unopposed and continued serving District 68.[7] On November 3, 2020, as an incumbent, Collins won the election unopposed and continued serving District 68.[8][4] On November 8, 2022, Collins beat Democrat Afoma Eguh Okafor to represent District 71.[9]
Personal life
editCollins has one child with a former wife. Collins married Holly Reece in 2021 and they live with his daughter above their funeral home in Villa Rica, GA.
References
edit- ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved Mar 19, 2021.
- ^ a b c "J. Collins Funeral Home And Cremation Service". downtownvillarica.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c "James Collins' Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "Villa Rica Mayor Collins resigns to run for Ga. House". villarica.org. May 11, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "GA State House 068". ourcampaigns.com. November 8, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "GA State House 068". ourcampaigns.com. November 6, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "GA State House 068". ourcampaigns.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "Election Night Reporting".