Ken Murray Collins

Ken Murray Collins, 69, better known as “Uncle Ken” to many and Mayor of Morrison Avenue, passed away Friday, July 28, 2023 in Biloxi due to complications from cancer with some of his family by his bedside. We say “some of his family” because none of us had a home large enough to hold all those he considered his family. He never married or had children but tonight three generations of children tie their shoes, smell the flowers, play cards without cheating, drive their cars and ride their bikes without training wheels. As he lay in the emergency room, a prominent surgeon entered asking the medical staff loudly “Where is my Ken?” When asked if Ken was a family member he replied, “Better than that, Ken has a key to my house!”

Ken was born November 3, 1953 in New Orleans, LA. He moved to Biloxi during his junior high years and graduated from BHS Class of ’71 and then moved on to the University of Tennessee. Ken was a free spirit who enjoyed the outdoors, bicycling along Hwy 11 from Biloxi to Knoxville and participating in many road races, triathlons and the London Marathon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Woodrow, Sr. and Ivah Gebbia Collins; and his brother, Warren Woodrow Collins, Jr.

Ken’s survivors include his niece, Brandy Collins Rothman; and his nephew Warren Woodrow Collins, III.

On Friday August 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm, a bonfire at the foot of Morrison Avenue will be held as Ken loved a bonfire get-together. On Saturday August 5, 2023 at 11:00 am a remembrance gathering will be held at the home of dear friends, Curtis and Julie Prescott, 11528 Hillcrest Road in Gulfport. On Sunday, August 6, 2023 there will be a private interment at the Hope Mausoleum in New Orleans, LA.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to all of Ken’s friends and family for being such a huge part of his life.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ken Collins.