Funeral service will be 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Shaw Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in the Troy Family Cemetery.  Visitation is from 5:30-8:00 P.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.  Stephen Nicolas Collins, affectionately known as Duke, of Wilmington, NC, passed away unexpectedly on 30 March 2024.  He was a beacon of love, light, and boundless energy, who departed this world too soon.  Stephen was cherished as a devoted son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend.  His presence was a vibrant force, infusing joy and warmth into the lives of all who knew him.  With an unwavering commitment to justice and fairness, Duke stood for righteousness, tirelessly advocating for what he believed in.  His heart overflowed with compassion, feeling deeply and fiercely, with his intense emotions being a testament to his passionate soul.  A peacemaker at heart, Duke never allowed unresolved conflicts to linger, always being the first to extend an olive branch and mend fractured bonds.  His infectious laughter and quick wit illuminated every room, lifting spirits and bringing smiles to all around him.  Selflessness defined Duke's character, as he willingly sacrificed his own needs to ensure the happiness and well-being of others.  His legacy is one of love, kindness, and unwavering generosity. Though he may no longer walk among us, Duke's spirit lives on in the hearts of those he touched.  His memory will forever be a guiding light, reminding us to embrace life with passion, to cherish our loved ones, and to strive for a world filled with compassion and understanding.  In honoring his life, let us carry forward his legacy of love and empathy, ensuring that his light continues to shine brightly in our lives and in the world around us.  Rest in peace, dear Duke, knowing that your love and laughter will be cherished and remembered always.  Stephen is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather Stephen Michael Collins, Sr.  He is survived by his mother Lynette Pankey, of Wilmington, NC; his father Stephen M. Collins, Jr., of Calabash, NC; his beloved dog, Athena; his brothers, Israel Sorenson (Adam), Nathaniel Collins (Lindsay), Brandon Collins, and his sisters Nasya Lewis, all of Wilmington, Taliya Collins, of Meriden, CT, and Rinay McDougald of Wilmington; his grandmothers, Mazie Pankey of Wilmington and Lida Shuss of Calabash and his grandfather Larry Pankey of Stamford, Connecticut; his uncles, Larry Pankey (Katrina), Leron Pankey (Monica), and Bryan Voelker, and aunts, Christina (Nic Cadenas) and Melissa Collins, Verna Morris, and Julia Wigfall; his cousins Courtney, Halle, Donavon, Curtis, Breanna, Christian, Jada, and Adrianna, Darion, and Trinity; special friends, Adams, Dawson, Brandon, and Robbie; and a host of other relatives and friends.