The Collins Family
Chris & Susan Collins
We met in 1979, became high school sweethearts, and went on to marry 1986. To say we were young and foolish might just be an understatement but somehow God, in his mercy, saw fit to bless us with five beautiful sons and then to graft a precious daughter into our family. Two of our sons, Christian and Calen, have a rare genetic disease called Fanconi Anemia. Through their trials, God has remained faithful and continued to teach us what it means to grow more like Him. Daily we fail, but daily we continue to try to honor the Lord. We tried to raise our children to love Jesus, love and serve others, and to love our country.
When Christian passed on August 27, 2021, a giant hole, that cannot be filled on this side of heaven, was left in our family but we all know we must carry on until we see him again. Colby, Cameron, Connor, Calen, Francine and their families choosing to honor their brother through Christian’s Touch makes this mom and dad so very proud. We know that Christian would approve.
Christian had many loves in his life; God, family, country, history, golf, and law enforcement. His small size and many health issues prevented him from becoming an officer through the traditional route but he was never deterred from that goal. The day he was officially deputized by the good and honorable Sheriff of Lamar County was one of his happiest moments. His heart was always with the men and women in blue and he maintained friendships with federal, state and local law enforcement officers throughout the world.
Our family hopes to continue to honor and support these officers who willingly serve and protect us all.
Colby Collins
My name is Colby Collins. I’m 31 and attended Stratford Academy and then Mercer University where I played baseball. I met my wife Melissa at Martha Bowman United Methodist Church when we were in high school and after years of being friends we married in 2019. We are expecting our first child, a boy, named Champ Christian Collins at the end of 2021.
Christian was a huge fan of superheroes. Growing up I was always Batman… until Christian came along and saw fit to demote me to Robin. He was nice enough to promote me back to NightWing after several years. Christian didn’t need to dress up as anyone else to be a superhero because he already was one. He was mine. Miss you buddy.
Cameron Collins
Cameron Collins was born in 1995 in South Florida as the 3rd of the eventual 5 boys that Chris and Susan would have. I graduated from Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Georgia and went on to attend the University of Georgia. In September of 2019, while living in Washington, D.C., I married my wife Amy Vardeman of Hiawassee, Georgia. In early 2021, Amy and I would move back to Macon where we both currently live. What a blessing it was the Lord called on us to move home, completely unaware of what was in store. Those months spent with Christian in Macon, surrounded by the rest of our family and their abundant love, are times that I will never forget. Christian was such an amazing human being and the best big brother that you could ever ask for. His touch had a way of penetrating your soul that is not easily described. Anyone who has ever hugged Christian knows exactly what I am talking about. My favorite thing about Christian, often overlooked in the moment, was how no matter where you were, what you had going on, or what kind of mood you were in, he would find you, climb on your lap and just lay there. Often times he would want to talk about hockey or a new piece of law enforcement equipment he had gotten. Many times, however, he would just lay there….in silence….knowing that no words needed to be said. I will miss those moments for the rest of my life but I am comforted knowing that he is in HEAVEN with JESUS and that his legacy will live on here long after we are all reunited at the side of our Lord.
Connor Collins
My name is Connor Collins. I work for my family’s office and currently live in Macon, Georgia. I was born in South Florida in 1996 and was immediately introduced to my boss in life for the next 24 years, Christian Collins. Christian was never afraid to tell you exactly how he felt. He knew what he wanted, and he knew how to get it from you. Christian had many passions and gifts during his time with us. His greatest passion in life was law enforcement, but his greatest gift was his ability to touch people. We can never replicate the positive impact Christian had on the people he met, but we hope this foundation does great job of honoring his name.
Calen Collins
I am Calen Collins, the youngest of the Collins boys. I was born in Florida in 1998. Christian and I had many things in common. Like Christian, I too was born with a rare genetic disease called Fanconi Anemia. I underwent my bone marrow transplant in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2002. Since then, I have been diagnosed and treated for mouth cancer twice. I am in remission, and for that I am thankful.
Christian and I spent most of our time together; I miss him so much. I am so glad to have had so many fond memories with him. I remember when our brother Colby was playing high school football and Christian and I would go to “the little field” wearing our matching Batman backpacks we would be typing messages back and forth and crawling around acting like we were spying on people. I miss him so much…even his not so funny jokes!
Francine Sauer
I’m Francine Sauer, I was born in Brazil and moved to the United States in 2000 at the age of 18. Moving to the USA and having Christian as a brother was definitely one of the biggest blessings in my life.
I graduated College with a degree in Respiratory Therapy in 2004, and finished my Master’s degree in Public Health from Mercer University in 2009.
I married the love of my life in 2008, a Georgia Tech Engineer. Dave has been working at Robins Air Force Base as a mechanical engineer since 2009. God blessed us with 2 amazing children; our first born Carson (11) and our sweet and sassy Isabella (8).
We all miss Christian dearly and have so many memories that will forever be in our hearts. Story time with Christian, and U.S. History/conspiracy theory discussions between him and Carson were priceless! The kids will often tell us something and say “it’s true, Christian said so”. Isabella could not do anything wrong in Christian’s eyes, ever! We all miss that nightly facetime call.