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 byDustin Hightower
Constituency68th District (2017–2023)
71st District (2023–Present)
Mayor of Villa Rica, Georgia
In office
2003–2016
Succeeded byMike Williamson (interim)
Shirley Marchman
Personal details
Born
James Allen Collins

(1976-09-23) September 23, 1976 (age 48)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseHolly Reece Collins
Children1
Residence(s)Villa Rica, Georgia, U.S.
OccupationFuneral director, politician
Known forElected as the youngest mayor of Villa Rica, Georgia.

Early life

edit

Collins' 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

edit

Collins 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

edit

In 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

edit

Collins 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
  1. ^ "Georgia General Assembly". www.legis.ga.gov. Retrieved Mar 19, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "J. Collins Funeral Home And Cremation Service". downtownvillarica.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Mayor Collins Visits Villa Rica Elementary School". thecitymenus.com. November 17, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "James Collins' Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  5. ^ "Villa Rica Mayor Collins resigns to run for Ga. House". villarica.org. May 11, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  6. ^ "GA State House 068". ourcampaigns.com. November 8, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  7. ^ "GA State House 068". ourcampaigns.com. November 6, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  8. ^ "GA State House 068". ourcampaigns.com. November 3, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  9. ^ "Election Night Reporting".
edit
Georgia House of Representatives
Preceded by
Dustin Hightower
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 68th district

2017–2023
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
from the 71st district

2023–Present
Incumbent