Collin Ainsworth Parkinson was born February 3, 1949 to Allan Eric Parkinson and Agnes Viola Parkinson (both deceased) in Kwakwani, Berbice, Guyana, South America. The third in a family of nine children, which included eight boys and one girl, he was a special child. In fact, at his birth his mother felt impressed to lay her hand on his head and declare that he was her "pastor" son. As he grew, his father saw a difference in him also, often declaring Collin was his "best" child. Collin lost his mother at the tender age of six. When his father remarried, he was fortunate to gain five additional sisters and two stepsisters, expanding his family even more. As a child, he and his siblings had the opportunity to live in various regions of Guyana because of their father's work as a bauxite (ore) analyst. Thus, he was deemed a "true" son of the soil.

He was educated in elementary schools across the region, concluding in Linden, the bauxite mining town. Collin then completed his secondary education at Mackenzie High School in Linden. He began his service to the Adventist Church as an elementary school teacher with the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. This was his first job.

Collin's personal mission and career objective was to train and prepare a people to meet the Lord at His second coming. And this was demonstrated throughout his life.

Eventually, he matriculated to Caribbean Union College in Trinidad, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Theology in 1975. He then served as a ministerial worker in Guyana for the next 10 years. During this time, he held the positions of Pastor, Director of Personal Ministries, and Health and Community Services Director. God blessed his ministry with 1,070 baptisms. Wanting to further his education and provide greater service to the community, he enrolled at the world-renowned Loma Linda University, earning a master's degree in Public Health in 1983. He would later earn another master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Atlantic Union College in 1992.

Collin's education positioned him for greater service to the church, including training nutrition promoters for the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA). He conducted city-wide health fairs, parades, and health runs. He led health and temperance seminars, as well as lay seminars on personal and public evangelism. Most of all, he enjoyed growing spiritual communities through evangelism, nurture, and revival.

In 1986 Collin married his first wife, Marcia, in Guyana. To this union was born one daughter, Blossom. After marrying Marcia, he moved to the United States to continue his service to the church with the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.  Two years later Marcia joined him in the United States. Sadly, she would die years later due to breast cancer.

While working for the Northeastern Conference, he served as a teacher and/or principal for 10 years.  Then in 1996, Collin accepted the call for a teaching/administrative position with the Education Department of the Allegheny West Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. For many years he served as a beloved conference administrator, educator, and principal across Allegheny West, including at Shiloh Preparatory School in Cincinnati, OH and Ramah Junior Academy in Cleveland, OH. Hundreds of students benefitted under his tutelage. During this time, he also earned his professional teaching certification from the Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

In 2003, along with his teaching responsibilities, Collin was assigned to pastor the Mount Olive Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hamilton, Ohio.  After transferring to Cleveland, Ohio, he pastored the Present Truth Seventh-day Adventist Church. During his tenure, church membership increased from 25 to more than 50, with 29 by baptism.

While working in Cincinnati, he met Vellier Rembert Walker. In 2004 they married in Cleveland, OH.  Together they raised Blossom and shepherded the Present Truth congregation.

On September 23, 2007, the Allegheny West Conference Executive Committee voted that he be designated a full-time ministerial worker, as well as assigned the position of Education Superintendent of the conference. He also served as Prayer Ministries Director for the Conference.  It was fitting that he should be ordained. Thus, on June 27, 2008 at the Allegheny West Conference campground, he was. Two years later Collin was installed as pastor at the Temple of Praise Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served in this role until his retirement. Collin Parkinson leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Vellier; his daughter Blossom; his siblings Neville, Leila, Lester, Allan, Alwyn, Dennis, Loraine, Lana, Lynette, Lydia, Althea; stepsisters Barbara and Evette; an adopted brother Dennis; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews; one aunt, Clarice Westford; one uncle, Thomas Lowe; and countless cousins and friends. May Collin rest until Jesus returns to call us home.

SERVICES ARE PRIVATE.

Private interment at  Landmark Memorial Gardens, 1600 Glendale Milford Road , Cincinnati, Ohio 45215.

In keeping with the Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions masks are required in order to enter  the service and social distancing must be practiced.  Please be prepared to comply for the safety of all.

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Walker Funeral Home is honored to serve the  Parkinson family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.