PRESS RELEASE
Rehobeth Mourns the Passing of Former Mayor Joe P. Collins REHOBETH, Ala. —
The Town of Rehobeth is saddened to announce the recent passing of former Mayor Joe P. Collins, a devoted public servant whose deep love for his community helped shape Rehobeth into the town it is today.
Mayor Collins passed away in late March, leaving behind a legacy that will be felt for generations to come. Joe P. Collins was more than a mayor; he was a builder.
Long before the town had a government to speak of, Collins was already working to bring one into existence. He served as chairman of the Incorporation of Rehobeth, guiding the community through the process that led to the town’s official incorporation in 1996. That same year, Rehobeth held its first mayoral election, and the community placed its trust in the man who had worked so hard to make it all possible, Joe Collins.
He would go on to serve as mayor for over 18 years, a tenure that spanned enormous change and growth for the town he helped create. Perhaps no moment tested his leadership more than when a devastating tornado tore through Rehobeth, causing significant damage that struck the heart of local government itself, including Town Hall. In the wake of that destruction, Mayor Collins remained steady and resolute, working alongside town staff, council members, and neighboring communities to coordinate recovery efforts and restore a sense of normalcy for Rehobeth’s residents. His presence during that crisis exemplified the kind of leader he had always been; someone who showed up when it mattered most.
Mayor Kimberly Trotter reflected on the impact Collins had on the town and those who serve it today. “Mayor Collins gave this town something that can never be taken away, a foundation built on hard work and genuine love for this community,” said Mayor Trotter. “He didn’t just serve Rehobeth, he helped create it, and everything we accomplish today stands on the shoulders of his dedication.
On behalf of the Town Council and the entire Rehobeth community, we are deeply grateful for his years of service and the impact he has had on our area.” Throughout his years in office, Mayor Collins held to a simple but powerful belief, that Rehobeth was a community where old-fashioned values, friendly neighbors, and the promise of tomorrow could all exist in harmony. He often spoke of the town as a place defined not just by its growth, but by its character. The Town of Rehobeth extends its deepest condolences to the Collins family and to all who knew and loved him.
Flags at Town Hall will be lowered in his honor.
