With heavy heart the Bedell, Collins, Landford, and Thomas families announce the passing of Honorable Mr. Thomas Bodio Collins. He was a beloved father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. Honorable Thomas Collins passed away peacefully on July 20, 2025 at his Gardnersville residence in Monrovia, Liberia. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledged Him, and he shall direct thy paths,” (Philippians 4:13). I do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
Honorable Thomas Bodio Collins was born on November 2, 1942 in Lagos, Nigeria to the union of Mrs. Toh Himieade Landford and Thomas B. Collins Sr. After many years of living with his parents and his siblings in Nigeria, his parents returned home to Cape Palmas, Liberia in 1950.
He attended and graduated from Cape Palmas High School. Honorable Collins’ passion for education led him to earn a Master’s degree from Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s degree from University of Liberia. Honorable Thomas Collins lived in the United States for many years. He resided in the States of New York and Minnesota, and also served as president Union of Liberian Association in the Americas. He returned to Liberia in the early eighties, committed to serving his country and excellence ever unwavering. In Liberia, he began his academic career as a professor at Cuttington University in Suacoco, Bong County. He later went to joined the faculty at Tubman Technical College in Harper City, Maryland County, Liberia. At the Tubman Technical College, he served in several roles including as vice president. He spent decades inspiring, shaping generations of students with discipline and integrity as a professor and dean at Tubman Technical College.
Honorable Collins was a dedicated academician. He was appointed as Deputy Minister of Education by former President Charles Taylor of the Republic of Liberia. He was a man of integrity and honesty, with deep appreciation for others and his country. He was one of the true champions of education in Liberia, and his tireless work at the Ministry of Education made education accessible to many youths at the end of the civil war . After retiring from the education ministry, he worked as adjunct professor at Cuttington University and University of Liberia. As we celebrate his life well lived, he will be missed.
We all dream of having a father who is loving, kind, and genuine. He was the foundation of our family. Honorable Collins was exactly that type of father and grandfather! During the Liberian Civil War, he guided us through years of hardship, difficulty, joy and achievement. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Dr. Daniel Sie Collins, Reverend Amos Baney Collins( deseased)Catherine Bedell Woods (deceased), Father Emmanuel G. Collins, Mary Wurehde Collins Thomas, and Annie Collins Popoola. He leaves to cherish many loving and funny memories. He is survived by his siblings: Charlotte Nyemade Collins-Bedell and Annie Collins Newton: Children: daughter Ms. Martha Ponne Collins(USA), Ms.Gertrude Collins (United Kingdom), Mr. Thomas Bodio Collins 3rd (Liberia), Ms. Oretha Andrew (United Kingdom), Charlotte Nyemade Collins (deceased) , Mr. Dweh Bodio Collins (USA) and Emmanuel Kebay Collins (grandson, Liberia). He leaves behind host of nephews, nieces, sisters, cousins, and friends in the Republic of Liberia and abroad.
Contact:
Ms. Martha Ponne Collins (Daughter): 781-962-1300
Mr. Thomas B. Collins III. (Son): 011-231-886951004
Ms. Gertrude Collins ( Daughter): 447432176590
Mrs. Oretha Andrew(Daughter): 447956524948
Mrs. Annie Bedell Benjamin (Niece): 571-723-7221
Ms. Atim Thomas (Niece): 781-513-3848
Mrs. Nerisa Gawolo (Niece): 215-626-8126
Mr. William Landford (Nephew): 413-519-9952
Mr. David Vinton (cousin): 011-231-886516807
Mr. Emmanuel K. Collins ( grandson): 011-231-880595741
