Bessie P. McCollum, 72, at Ewington, Ohio, entered into the gates of heaven at 6:55 P.M., Saturday, April 22, 2006 after an extended illness. God saw that she was very tired and a cure was not to be. So He put his arms around her and whispered: "Come to me".
She was born February 22, 1933, in the Red Lick area of Kentucky, the sixth child of the late Golden and Annie (Williams) Griffin.
On January 31, 1948, she married Ike T. McCollum and to this union were born nine children.
Surviving are four daughters: Carolyn Franke, Tiffin; Shirley (Albert) Smith, Rt. 1, Ewington; Bonnie Cowger, Jackson; Judy Canter, Wellston; and three sons: Larry (Ivy) McCollum, Londonderry; Randy (Louise) McCollum, Harpswell, MA; Delbert (Sherri) McCollum, Jackson; and a daughter-in-law, Katrina McCollum McGhee.
Also surviving are 17 grandchildren: Bryan, Tara, Ian, Andrew and A.J. McCollum; Ryan and Jarred Canter; Derek, Nathan and Chelsie Cowger; Shannon (Billy) Witt; Danelle Marcum; David (Missy) and Daryl (Toni) Smith; Denise (Warren) Clark; Patty (Scott) Johnston, and Ryan Rhoden; 15 great-grandchildren; one brother, Dennis P. (Martha) Griffin, Berea, KY; her former husband, Ike T. McCollum, McArthur; four sisters-in-law: Mae Lamb, Zaleski; Frances Allen, Berea, KY; Dorothy Wynn, Conway, KY and Lula McCollum, Paint Lick, KY; numerous nieces and nephews; and fellow church brethren of #10 Christian Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Bobby Ray and Gary Herbert McCollum; six brothers: Brady, Edmond, Manford, Elvie, Harlan and Carlos Griffin and one sister, Francis (Griffin) Mullins Anglin.
Though her life may have ended on this earth, Bessie will forever be at peace with her Lord.
Funeral Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Wed., 4/26/2006, at the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, 208 Main St., Vinton, OH., with Rev. Dennis Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in the Vinton Memorial Park next to her son, Bobby.
Friends may call at the Fuenral Home on Tuesday, 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
She was a loving mother. She took great pride and pleasure in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, by whom she was dearly loved and will be sadly missed.
