Kenneth Dale Collins was born on July 23, 1960 in East Saint Louis, Illinois. He was affectionately known as "Kent" and "Gateway" to others. He graduated from East Saint Louis Senior High in 1978. He accepted Christ as an adult and was a member of The "Exciting" Singing Hills Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his father, Sidney Collins, Junior, his mother, Earnestine Collins, and his brother, Sidney Collins, III.

Kent loved his family and received their unwavering commitment in life. He exhibited a fondness for cars and trucks at an early age and went on to earn his CDLs as a truck driver. Through the ups and downs of life, he would emerge with a smile that will always be remembered.

He leaves to cherish his loving wife, Tijuana Hoover-Collins; sons, Kendric Collins and Kenneth Collins, Junior; siblings, Leroy Collins, Barbara (Michael) Ray, Naomi (Lamont) Gilbert, Michael Collins, Gregory Collins, and Lisa Collins; and aunts, uncles, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.