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MURFREESBORO – Janet August Harwood Collins, age 84, passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at the Gates House Assisted Living of Gatesville, NC. She was born on February 28, 1939 in Richmond, Virginia to the late James Coleman Harwood, Jr. and Katherine August Harwood. Janet worked as a Professor & Coach for Chowan University.

Janet was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for one year. She began her employment with Chowan University teaching in the Department of Health and Physical Education. Janet quickly began to organize a program for female students. During the time 1964-1975 she was responsible for women’s basketball, softball, volleyball, women’s intramurals, majorettes, and Bravettes. In 1978 her responsibilities focused mainly on coaching volleyball, with many winning seasons and producing three All Americans and two Academic All Americans. During this time, she managed to complete additional studies through UNC-Greensboro, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Rocky Mountain College, Texas Women’s University, George Williams College, Texas A & M State University, and Wake Forest University. In 1991 she was inducted into the Chowan Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1994 she was awarded the North Carolina Governor’s Award of Excellence for Coaching and Administration.

Janet was a devoted member of Murfreesboro Baptist Church serving actively for many years. Along with her love of Chowan and her church, Janet enjoyed swimming, bowling, sports, and traveling.

Along with her parents, Janet was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Clifton Shell Collins, and many friends.

She is survived by many cousins and a brother-in-law.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Riverside Cemetery, Murfreesboro, NC, with Dr. Mark Gaskins officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Chowan University, Office of Advancement, One University Place, Murfreesboro, NC 27855; funds may be designated to the Collins Memorial Scholarship or the Janet Harwood Collins and Clifton Shell Collins Volleyball Endowment or Murfreesboro Baptist Church, 200 W. Main Street, Murfreesboro, NC 27855 or online by visiting tmcfunding.com/search fund, type- Janet Collins

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Murfreesboro Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Collins family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com