HUNTSVILLE — Dotson Collins,

age 94, passed away Friday, November 11 , 2022, at Countryside Assisted Living, Huntsville, Ark.

He was born January 24, 1928, in Boston, Ark., the fourth of 12 children to Reverend William Harrison Collins and Rosie Lea Williams Collins. He was preceded in death by his parent; his wife of 68 years, Mildred Johnson Collins; three brothers Frank Collins, Walker Collins, and Floyd Collins; and three sisters, Cleo Thurston, Billie Marrs, and Virginia Schaefer.

Dotson is survived by his children, Barbara Mitchell and husband Jerry of Harrison, Ark.; his son Ted Collins and wife Andrea of Farmington, Ark. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Beau Collins and Jessica of Farmington, Skyler Collins and Cynthia of Williamson, Ga., Anne Mitchell of Harrison, and Justin Mitchell and Lauren of Mokena, Illinois. He is also survived by nine great- grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by a brother, Ben Collins of Springdale, Ark.; sisters Susie Atchely of Fayetteville, Ark., Ethel Taylor (Troy) of Elkins, Ark., Sarah Petersen of Entiat, Wash., and Melba Collins, of Fayetteville, Ark.

Dotson led a life of service, first in the U.S. Armed Services. Following his induction into the military he was assigned as a military policeman with the Occupational Forces in Japan. Upon discharge, he returned to Arkansas, married Mildred and they moved to Washington State where he worked in the fruit and timber industry for several years. They returned to Arkansas and bought a farm on Holman Creek near Huntsville in 1961.

He served as a USDA State Executive Director under President Ronald Reagan, President George H. W. Bush and President George W. Bush. During his time as Executive Director, he was recognized with the Administrator’s Award.

He devoted his life to helping Arkansas. The list of state government positions he has held under both Governor Winthrop Rockefeller and Governor Mike Huckabee included being Labor Commissioner; Director of the Food Stamp Commodity Division; Policy Advisor for Agriculture; Veterans and Military Affairs; and Environmental and Rural Development. He was a devout Christian and served as President of his church’s General Council for 30+ years.

The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m., Friday, November 18, 2022, at Brashears Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10 a. m., Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Brashears Funeral Home with Loren Collins officiating. Pallbearers will be Beau Collins, Skyler Collins, Justin Mitchell, Robert Gibson, Jim Steele, and Jason Collins. Honorary pallbearers will be David Schaefer, Bobby Steele, Donnie Schaefer, Mike Taylor, Mike Thurston, Doug Petersen, Scott Schaefer, Troy Taylor, and Josh Collins. Interment will immediately follow services at Farmington Cemetery, Farmington, Ark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Christian Union Youth Camp at 4264 E Lawndale Drive, Fayetteville, Ark., 72701 or Venus Church at 1962 Madison 3345, Witter, Ark.,72776.

The family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation for the loving and kind care he received at Countryside Assisted Living. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.