Arlis Collins

Arlis Ray Collins, 69, lifetime resident of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Arlis was born December 26, 1953, in Tahlequah, to the late Arville Albert Collins and Leona Thelma (Spencer) Collins.

He married the love of his life, Christine Smith Collins on March 10, 1974, at Double Springs Church in Hulbert, Oklahoma.

Arlis was a dedicated employee, who worked 42 years at the Tahlequah Public Works Authority, where he retired as the Water Treatment Plant Maintenance Foreman, July 3, 2020.

Arlis is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Christine Collins; a son, Charlie (Melissa) Collins; two daughters, Melissa McColpin and Kimberly Collins; extended son-in-law, Troy McColpin; 9 grandchildren, Shauntell Bettis, Rae Takota Hendrix, Charlie Collins, Jr., Mason Collins, Christian Collins, Malia Collins, Isaak McColpin, Rylynn Collins, and Tory Lander; and two great grandchildren, Sawyer Atlas Franke and Harper Franke.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Arlie, Larry, and James Collins, and Eddie Sams; and three sisters, Geneva Hall, Mary Ann Wise, and Infant Baby Girl Collins.

Pallbearers will be Troy McColpin, Isaac McColpin, Charles Collins, Jr., Jason Hall, Brandon Qualls, and Frank Collins. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Linn, Jr., Chris Hall, Casey Taylor, Daniel Eden, Roy Teague, Rodney Carey, Austin Samples, Cody Buck, and Tom Bradford.