Michael Collins

Michael Ray “Mike” Collins was born on October 21, 1959 to the loving and proud parents, the late Eddie Collins and Lessie B. Riley in Dumas, Arkansas. Mike was the youngest of five children; three preceded him in death, his brothers Virgil Lee, Jimmy Clyde Riley, and his sister Ella Riley Lane. He spent his childhood growing up in Gould, Arkansas. After graduating from Gould High School, he attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing. In the late eighties Mike relocated to Denver, Colorado to be nearer to his Sister Stella, and late brother-in-law Solomon Nash, Jr. and his nephew Dr. Chad Nash. Even though Mike had a degree in marketing and worked for various entities such as the Arkansas State Department of Corrections, Fed Ex, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the Denver Post, his love and passion for playing the piano or organ always over shadowed his other positions. At the young age of five Mike would sneak through the hedges of their house to the next-door neighbors Rev. and Mrs. Goodlow so that he could play on their piano. The happiest day of his life was the day he came home and found in the living room his very own brand-new piano. Perhaps, you can imagine the excitement he must have felt. He first started playing by ear and after a few years he began taking piano lessons from Mrs. McKissic, a well-known music teacher in the area. From her he learned music theory, techniques and how to write and compose music. At an early age Mike received Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized. He began playing the piano for the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church where he was a member under Pastor Rev. N.C. Hopes. Mike loved working in the church. He played for the adult and children choirs and for the group his mom sang with. He always attended Sunday school, church, BTU, revival and any musical, just so he could play every time he got a chance. One night, an exceptionally good gospel playing lady pianist came from out of town and Mike said he asked the Lord to let him learn to play like her, and if he did he would never play anything but gospel music. He was constantly practicing. The next year at revival meeting on a night his mom did not attend revival, Mike played using his new-found skills. The next day, a neighbor came by the house and told his mom that Mike was in church playing the blues. After he left she asked Mike to play for her the song he had played at church, so he did, and the song was “Walk and Talk with Jesus” which she loved. The family loved to hear him play and sing and whenever together Mike would always sing their favorite song “Sweet Home”. That was his favorite because his mom was the soloist for that song in her group. The family continues to do this. During the week of June third through eighth, 15 family members from Arkansas came to Denver to visit Mike at the North Star Care and Rehabilitation Center where they all gathered around the piano in the activity center and while Mike played family joined in singing “Sweet Home”. In Denver Mike served as a musician at Central Baptist Church, Friendship Baptist Church of Christ Jesus and New Covenant Baptist Church. Our family Musician went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 5:30 a.m. Cherishing his memory and yet rejoicing his life are his beloved sister Stella Riley Nash; sister-in-law Deloris Riley; nephews, Howard Lane, Dr. Chad J. Nash, David Riley, Terry Tanner and Kenneth Lane; nieces, Jackie and Yulanda Riley, Tonja Tanner, Dr. Glenda Riley, Sheila, Darlene and Lillie Lane, and many great nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO
Visitation: 7/29/2018 at 12:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 7/30/2018 at 11:00 AM - Friendship Baptist Church of Christ Jesus - 880 Fairfax Street, Denver, Colorado
Family Gathering: 7/30/2018 - Fellowship Hall - Following the Service Friendship Baptist Church of Christ Jesus - 880 Fairfax Street, Denver, Colorado