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Calkins: A birth, a death and an improbable reunion — after more than three decades

By , Daily Memphian Updated: February 26, 2025 2:33 PM CT | Published: February 26, 2025 4:00 AM CT
Geoff Calkins
Daily Memphian

Geoff Calkins

Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.

Kelli Collins was a cheerleader, a dancer and a 16-year-old junior at Germantown High with all the promise in the world.

“Everyone liked her,” said Kim Collins, her sister. “She was very competitive, very headstrong. Her cheer team won a national championship.”

“She was a happy person,” said John Collins, her father. “She truly loved dance.”

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