Edwin Paxson Collins, Jr., age 63, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
Born on August 7, 1961, in Greenville, South Carolina, Edwin was a son of the late Edwin Paxson and Sara Vandegriff Collins, Sr. He was also preceded in death by his second mother, Susan Hayward Collins; two sisters, Susan Jane Collins Hardaway and Paxson Collins MacDonald; mother and father-in-law, the late Caroline Ehrhardt and James “Jim” Mathewes Condon Sr.; beloved dogs, Murphy, Baxter and Bentley.
Eddie was a beloved husband, father, and friend. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the Citadel in 1983. As part of Mike Company, he entered a brotherhood that remained loyal and true to him and each other until his passing. While at the Citadel, Eddie cheered on the Bulldogs as a cheerleader and even made an occasional appearance as the Bulldog mascot himself. After graduating, Eddie could often be found in Charleston rooting on his favorite team with his fellow classmates. He was incredibly proud when his youngest daughter, Caroline, decided to follow in his footstep and attend the Citadel too. Eddie’s love for the Citadel was infinite and he will always be a member of the Long Gray Line.
Eddie met the love of his life, Ellen, while living in Columbia after graduation. The two were married in 1993 and spent 31 loving years together. He raised two daughters, Elisabeth and Caroline, and cherished every moment with them. A Regional Sales Manager in the precision cutting tool industry was a source of constant travel. Eddie was respected by colleagues and customers alike for his professionalism and dedication. During the COVID-19 shutdown, he honed his skills in woodworking, creating cherished pieces for his family and friends.
A true lover of life, Eddie fulfilled a longstanding dream by embarking on a remarkable 10-day fishing expedition in Alaska. He enjoyed growing blueberries and had a fondness for making the most incredible pound cakes, enjoying a cigar and glass of bourbon. He was a source of unwavering support and laughter, often found sharing his famous jokes, captivating stories, and playful pranks. Above all, Eddie loved and cherished his family, friends, and fur babies.
Eddie is survived by his, loving wife of 31 years, Ellen Elisabeth Condon Collins; two daughters, Elisabeth Vandegriff Collins and Caroline Ehrhardt Collins and her fiancé, Blake Owen Keffer; his sisters, Sara “Sally” Collins Dunn (the late Thomas Francis Dunn), Ellen Collins White (the late Charles Robert White), Elisabeth “Lisa” Collins Hood (Mark Parkins Hood), Suzanne Collins Kilborn (Kyle Kenneth Kilborn), brothers-in-laws, Richard Stewart Hardaway, and Gregory “Greg” Lewis MacDonald; sisters-in-laws, Caroline (Carin) Condon Lavigne (Raymond Donald Lavigne), Ann Condon deSaussure (Charlton deSaussure), Mary Louise “Weezie” Condon Stephenson, Elizabeth “Betsy” Condon Pritchard (Thomas Bacot Pritchard), James “Jimmy” Mathewes Condon, Jr. (Belgica “Bel” Santos Condon), Bernard “Gene” Eugene Condon (Stephanie Bachand Condon); and many nieces and nephews; and his beloved pets, Charlie, Hank and Cody.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Thursday, March 6, 2025, followed by burial in Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609.