Lyn Collins

Lyn Collins known as The Female Preacher and diva of James Brown was my best friend. When she passed, I sent emails out to all I knew telling them that the world was a much better place for having Lyn in it. And that the world would remain a better place had she been able to remain in it. I know some would say that ‘it was her time’, but that is hard for me to accept. There was still so much more life in her. I wish James Brown treated her better.

Lyn sings in my funny little rap song about Numerology. Actually, she whales in it. Just like "The Female Preacher" she was known, when you listen to the entire song especially the end you can hear this amazing sultry raspy preacher type voice do what she did best. Interesting to note, that anyone who knew Lyn would agree that she was also a female preacher in words and spirit. So many times we would talk on the phone and she would give me such comfort from my sorrows and fears.

Having known Lyn for 31 years you can imagine that I knew both Bobby Jr. and Tony Jackson since they were little boys and have seen them grow into mature, loving and accepting adults. I stay in communication still with both as I was always considered family.

Lyn and her mother Rozel were very instrumental for giving me the courage to come out of the closet. She and Momma Rozel (what I called her) were there in the beginning for my own acceptance to myself. Both Lyn and momma Rozel were there in the beginning when they were trying to let me know that we could have a very special friendship because I was gay. They were very open minded, loving Christian people who loved me.

I can tell you that many years ago when we lived in the same city, Abilene, TX, I would go over to their house and at times Lyn and I would go shopping. Of course that was In the mid 70’s when not a lot of white men and black women hung out together. One time Lyn and I went to the store and people actually would walk around us…so that gave Lyn and I a lot of ammunition to play it up. We would start saying things like, ‘Well what would the children say?’ We savored the looks on people’s faces. To this day I can still hear her say, ‘You so crazy’!

Lyn was my sister. So many times we would joke on the phone or to others that we were related. Or we would introduce each other to others as my sister or brother and we got many confused looks from people. Ah, those were the days!

I remember when Momma Rozel passed away. Lyn told me on the phone that momma Rozel was in the hospital and I should go see her. Working two jobs then left me unable to get to her, and before you knew it, I was at Momma Rozells viewing.

It was a somber day. I could tell Lyn was crushed to let her mother go. It left such a permanent hole in her heart. Interesting to note that at Momma Rozel’s viewing, I was one of a few white people there. I remember standing next to Lyn and the boys right by the coffin crying my eyes out saying, ‘she didn’t care I was white’. In retrospect, it was kind of funny as a reverse role in society.

I can honestly say that I was one a very few men who has slept in the same bed with Lyn. But then again, we were the best of friends and boy could that girl snore. We would stay up late watching TV or just talking and laughing until we couldn’t stay up any longer.

I am so honored to have had the pleasure to call Lyn my friend. I miss her so much. Like I said at the viewing, ‘my heart is broken’. In 31 years we never had one cross word because we always respected each other and we had a clear and open line of communication.

Being the only white man at Lyn’s funeral, I was not treated any differently by the family, I was treated like family by everyone there. That is a testament to my loving friend. Lyn knew I loved her…and everyone else in Lyn’s close circle knew that Lyn loved me.

I am blessed to have known Lyn Collins. Godspeed Lyn, I miss and love you so much.

Davyd