Saltville, VA John Lever Collins, 55, husband of 33 years to Melanie Shealy Collins, passed away suddenly Sunday, September 4, 2021. Born September 2, 1966 in Heidelberg, Germany he was the son of James Edward Collins and JoAnne Kirby Collins. He worked for the SCDOT for 28 years and retired in 2012. A jack of many trades, he was very talented in mechanics, carpentry, and grilling. John was a friend to many and always willing to help someone in need. John never met a stranger and always stopped to talked to everyone where he went. He loved the outdoors and living in the mountains of Saltville, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his father, James Edward Collins, and his brother James Edward Collins II. He is survived by his mother, JoAnne Kirby Collins of Saltville; wife, Melanie Shealy Collins of Saltville; two sons, John Lever Collins II (Michael) of Gaston, South Carolina, James Ryan Collins of Saltville; one sister, Glenna Ann Collins of Lexington, South Carolina; and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. With special thanks to "Red" Lowery, Nancy and Stanley Smith, Josh Woodward, and Caitlin "Little Bit" Puckett for all of their love and care. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Henderson Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at drhendersonfuneralhome.com. The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the John Lever Collins family.