Bessie P. (Griffin) Mccollum
February 22, 1933 — April 22, 2006
Bessie P. McCollum, 72, Ewington, Ohio entered into the gates of heaven at 6:55 PM 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, Ewington; Bonnie Cowger, Jackson and Judy Canter, Wellston; three sons: Larry (Ivy) McCollum, Londonderry; Randy (Louise) McCollum, Harpswell, Massachusetts and Delbert (Sherri) McCollum, Jackson; and a daughter-in-law, Katrina McCollum McGhee.
Also surviving are seventeen 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; fifteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Dennis P. (Martha) Griffin, Berea, Kentucky; former husband, Ike T. McCollum, McArthur; four sisters-in-law: Mae Lamb, Zaleski; Frances Allen, Berea, Kentucky; Dorothy Wynn, Conway, Kentucky and Lula McCollum, Paint Lick, Kentucky; 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. 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.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, 208 Main St, Vinton, Ohio with Rev. Dennis Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in the Vinton Memorial Park next to her son, Bobby. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM.