Vandel Collins, 63, of Fairmount, GA, passed away on June 15, 2026, having finally found the peace he'd been searching for his whole life. He was born July 26, 1962, in Washburn, TN, to the late Buck Collins and Alma Ruth Smith.

Vandel never met a stranger. He could spin a tall tale better than anyone, and he was just as happy sitting on the porch as he was driving down a winding country road, counting deer along the way and pointing at the radio when the lyrics really mattered.

He was a master barber who paid attention to every detail, and there wasn't much he couldn't fix with his hands. More than anything, he loved helping others before himself, and he loved being Papaw to his three grandchildren. Whether he was gardening or being The Papsquatch, he brought his own brand of silly and steady love to everything he did.

He is survived by his wife, Angelia Collins; his daughter, Felicia Zorn (Jim), of Canton, GA; his son, Vandel Jacob Collins, of Fairmount, GA; and his three grandchildren, Vandel Neyland Collins, Colin Zorn, and Roman Zorn. He is also survived by his brothers, Rickie Collins of Washburn, TN, and Michael Collins (Donna) of Calhoun, GA; his sisters, Starrelet Reed of Washburn, TN, and Bridget Davidson (Denver) of Thorn Hill, TN; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Vandel was preceded in death by two special friends, Kenneth Townsend and John Owen.

Honorary pallbearers are Jacob Collins, Neyland Collins, Michael Collins, Rickie Collins, Jim Zorn, Mark Herndon, Joseph Mathews, Cricket Bradley, Jeff Turner, Dennis Greenway, Dustin McAnally, and Lumpy.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Friday, June 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at Ponders Funeral Home in Fairmount, Georgia. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you call the funeral home to make a donation toward his services.

Ponders Fairmount Chapel 2566 Highway 411, Fairmount, Georgia 30139, 706-337-3784

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