Henry E. Collins

Henry E. Collins, born April 30, 1932, in Denmark, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest after a long and meaningful life defined by service, devotion, and an extraordinary gift for connecting with others. He was the son of the late Elias A. Collins and the late Mrs. Ida Mae (Brown) Collins, the eldest of three sons and one daughter. Henry graduated from Ridgeville, S.C. high school in 1949. Then in 1950, just as the Korean War erupted, he was drafted into the United States Army. During his induction, it was discovered that he was mostly blind in one eye, a circumstance that spared him from the brutal and uncertain combat taking place in Korea’s freezing hills and mountains. Instead, he was assigned to American-occupied West Germany, where he served honorably in a heavy ordnance battalion. There, he conducted maintenance on armored vehicles, including the M47 Patton main battle tank, as well as, some of the earliest American fighter jets and their advanced weapons systems. Henry returned home in 1953 and used his GI Bill to attend The Citadel, where he earned his education in electrical engineering. Resourceful, determined, and full of ambition, he went on to open The Pavilion on Edisto Beach, which celebrated its grand opening in 1960. The Pavilion quickly became a beloved center of community life—hosting gatherings, celebrations, and countless memorable events. With Henry’s leadership and magnetic personality, it grew into an iconic part of Edisto’s identity. In 1966, Henry married Mary Eleanor (Gregersen) Collins, the love of his life, and together they built a family grounded in love, laughter, and shared dreams. They welcomed their son, Henry Brian Collins, in March 1968. For more than 47 years, Henry was an integral figure on Edisto. His influence extended far beyond business ownership—he played a meaningful role in local law enforcement and political affairs, always advocating for the well-being of the community he cherished. Known for feeding hearts, souls, and stomachs alike, Henry possessed a contagious charisma and an extroverted nature that made him unforgettable. Even decades later, people who had not seen him in 40 or 50 years continued to speak of him with admiration, affection, and lasting respect. Henry was a legend in his own right—a hero not only for his military service, but for the way he lived his life: boldly, generously, and with unwavering warmth. His legacy lives on through the many people he touched, the community he helped shape, and the family who loved him dearly. He will be forever remembered with gratitude and love. Survivors include: his brother Durwood (Sandra); three sons and one daughter--The Rev. Robert Spainhour of Goose Creek, Beverly Fisk (Evrette) of Edisto Island, Tony Spainhour (Sonya) of Edisto Island and Brian Collins of Edisto Island; eleven grandchildren; Chad Fisk, Jennifer Fisk-Free, Avery Spainhour (deceased), Lauren Harris (Wyatt), Cantey Spainhour (Keith), Ryan Fisk (Whitlee), Heath Fisk, Sean Spainhour (Emily), Elijah Collins, Ethan Collins and Drayton Collins, 15 great grandchildren; as well as numerous cherished nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at The Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island, 2164 SC-174, Edisto Island, SC 29438, at 2:00PM. A reception will be held afterwards in the Church Hall.

Henry E. Collins

April 30, 1932 - December 9, 2025