Obituary of Steven Collins

Pastor Steven Collins, 68, was called home to the Lord in the afternoon on March 29, 2020. In his final moments, his loving wife Mary Collins was with him, as were the prayers and love of countless family and friends. Pastor Collins was one of seven children born to parents James Collins and Agnes Gadson. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 30, 1951. He graduated from Food and Maritime Trades High School and was blessed with four children, Steven, Jr., Raheem, Corretta, and David Collins. He was blessed again, by marriage to his wife Mary, with two additional children, Michele Woodbee (deceased) and Khadijah Carter. Pastor Collins was accomplished both professionally and theologically. He was employed as a fraud investigator for 25-years in the Internal Affairs Department of Sanofi-Aventis, a multinational corporation specializing in vaccines, immunology, and infectious diseases. In 1999 Pastor Collins earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from United Bible College & Seminary. In 2012 he earned another Bachelor of Christian Education from the Christian Bible College and Seminary. He served in leadership positions at three churches in Brooklyn, New York: Assistant Pastor of New Life Baptist Church, Assistant Pastor of Crossover Baptist Church, and Pastor of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, where he served at the time of his passing. Pastor Collins also served as President of the Brownsville East New York Clergy Association. Pastor Collins is survived by his wife of 20 years, Mary Collins, who served faithfully by his side throughout his ministry; Mother in-law Willia Mae Dickies; brothers Roger and Junior Collins; sister Maggie Marshall; children Steven, Jr., Raheem, Corretta, David, and Khadijah; eighteen grandchildren and four great-grand children; three godchildren Mason Beese, Lamar Cogmon, and Demi Bhojedat; sister in-laws Patcher Jenkins and Sutra Doresy; nieces and nephews Robert, Arion, Christine, Johnny, Robert, Lucy, Anthony, Malcolm, Jabbar, Elijah, Shaldya, Farad, Ramses, Mendes , and Agninshalah. Pastor Collins is also survived by a host of faithful friends and family in the spirit, including Dindyal Bhojedat, Deacon Kurt, Deaconess Irene Robison, the Harkless family, Rasheen and Robin Brown, Rev. Dr. John H. Marshall, Minister Michael Wyhce, Bishop William, Bishop Washington, Bishop Wheeler, Rev. Belle, Deacon Bennett, Deacon Pettway, Deaconess Underwood, Deaconess Arnett, the Hillard and Waston families, James Wilson, Pastor Collins personal barber, and so many others too numerous to name here. Pastor Collins contributions to the lives of those he ministered to are incalculable. His love, wisdom, and commitment to the Word of God will remain with us forever. Pastor Collins’ Memorial service will be held ONLINE ONLY on April 6, 2020, with the viewing beginning at 11:00 am, and service beginning at 11:30 am. To view the service, obituary, and family slide show, please log on to www.higginsfuneralhome.com at the above time. Once on the site, scroll down to Pastor Collins’ picture, and click on it. Condolences, tributes, and photographs can be uploaded to this site as well.