Burnett Oscar Collins

Burnett Collins passed away on August 26, 2021, at his home. He was born April 23, 1930, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Oscar and Magnolia Collins. During his growing-up years he lived in Acme, North Carolina, remaining there until graduating from high school. To achieve his BS degree in Agriculture Education he attended North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, North Carolina. While there he participated in college basketball and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Burnett was then drafted by the military and spent two years of active duty in the US Army. Immediately after his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Ohio State University, majoring in Dairy Technology. He was only the second African American in the country to pursue this major, but the first Dairy Tech graduate to work in the field. During his tenure at OSU, he met and married Betty Minor, who was also an OSU student. While still a college student Burnett joined Union Grove Baptist Church and attended with Betty who already had membership there. He became very active in the Sunday school as department superintendent and finally became general superintendent of the Sunday school. Burnett and Betty later became parents to four children, Anthony, Lynette, Julie, and Reed. He had great love for camping and fishing. For family camping he traveled with his trailer to Upstate New York, Texas, and several campgrounds in Ohio. There was also a small fishing boat that he used to fish at Hoover Dam. After working a short time at Ohio State, he went to work for the Borden Ice Cream Division. His final position there was supervisor of quality control, the position he had always dreamed of having. But eventually Columbus Schools called on him to accept a position in their Food Service Division. He accepted and remained until his retirement. His love for North Carolina A&T prompted him to become a part of the Ohio Chapter of the school’s alumni association and soon became president. Burnett had a second marriage to Consuelo Smith. Following his retirement, he moved to North Carolina and later to South Carolina. After Connie’s death, he returned to Columbus. Soon after, he met Virginia Davis and they become close partners, continuing fifteen years and only interrupted by his death. Those who preceded him in death are his parents, Oscar and Magnolia Collins; his sister, Easter Lillie Smith; his wife, Consuelo Collins and his son, Anthony Burnett Collins. His survivors include his children, Lynette Justice (Kevin), Julie Crawford (Kenneth), Reed Collins (Drusilla), grandchildren, Brittny Justice, Nicole Crawford, Maya Crawford, Dariane Garland, Aubree Collins, and partner, Virginia Davis. Arrangements are by Diehl-Whittaker Funeral Service, 720 E. Long Street, Columbus, OH 43203. Funeral service will be at Union Grove Baptist Church, 266 N. Champion Avenue 43203, on September 9,2021, at 11:00 am. Viewing will begin at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Association, Columbus Chapter Merit Scholarship, PO Box 1546 Westerville, Ohio 43086. Please note “Burnett Collins Memory” gift designation.