Lester R. Collins, 61, of Raymore, Missouri, died Nov. 10, in Kansas City, Missouri.

A funeral service will be held Nov. 16, at 2 p.m., at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home with Elder Morris Collins officiating. Interment will follow the service at Mount Olive Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Donald Collins, Bobby Reed, Johnnie Collins, Jay Gold, Chris Collins, and Anthony Collins, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be James Collins, Mark Jowers, Robert Collins, Anthony Collins, Sr., Darien Collins, Chester Collins, Ethan Gillaspie, Nathan Gillaspie, and Jaron Gillaspie.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15, at the funeral home.

Lester was born on Oct. 25, 1957, in Warrensburg, to Ellsworth Collins and Jeanetta Reed Collins. He graduated from high school in the class of 1977 and served in the United States Army for one year. As a young teenager, he worked in the family business, Collins Sanitation Service, and later worked for Sam’s Club for over 10 years as a sales associate/stocker, and also did custodial work for CMSU. He married Sheryl Jeppesen on Jan. 14, 1991, at the Assembly of God Church in Grandview, Missouri.

Lester will be remembered for being a great cook – his barbeque pork chops and chicken were second to none. He enjoyed weightlifting, drawing, and fishing. He also loved country music, and could frequently be found mowing his yard in his cowboy boots and hat. He was sweet, thoughtful, and dearly loved his family and friends.

Lester is survived by his wife of nearly 28 years, Sheryl J. Collins, of the home; daughters, Rebekah Jean Collins and Lesley Delores Collins; sister, Anita McGhee; sister, Sandra Avery; twin brother, Chester L. Collins; brother, Robert Ray Collins; sister, Rita Kay Wheeler (Jon); sister, Etta Jean Lewis (Leecinda); brother, Anthony Collins, Sr. (Janet Baker); sister, Wanda Smith (John); and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Lester was preceded in death by his son, Matthew Aaron Collins; his parents, Ellsworth and Jeanetta Collins; nephew, Jeremy Collins; and parents-in-law, Stanley and Bonnie Jeppesen.

Contributions may be made to the American Sickle Cell Anemia Association and checks can be left in care of the funeral home.