Edna Jean Ballinger Mccollum

Funeral services for Edna Jean McCollum will be held Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. McCollum, age 88, of Meridian passed away Saturday, March 18, 2017 at James T. Champion Nursing Facility.

She was a faithful and longtime member of Northcrest Baptist Church.

Edna Jean served our country as an Air Force wife for 44 years, traveling worldwide with four children in tow. J

She served her friends, family and neighbors by baking one-of-a-kind cakes, pies and candies that would put the best candy-makers to shame!

Edna Jean served her children and grand-children by sharing her seamstress talents of crochet, knit, embroidery, tatting, quilting among the many other crafts including doll making, beadwork, ornaments….just to name a few.

Her kindness and gentle nature provided the best in caring for others especially when she was a member of her church’s prayer chain or anytime someone was in need. She loved her Bible studies and looked forward to buying a new Bible with every new study she took on.  Music was in her soul from the time she was old enough to sing! Her love of music even continued on once the illness of Alzheimer’s took over. You knew she had a song in her heart even when she couldn’t carry on a conversation with you because she would tap it with her hands or feet!

She is survived by her son, Alex Randolph “Randy” McCollum, Jr. (Dona) of Cuthbert, GA; daughters, Nona Jean “Jeannie” Switzer (Paul) of Collinsville, MS and Erie Nell Tedder (Keith) of Tallahassee, FL; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sisters, Rose Parker of California and Deloyse Boone of Texas; sister-in-laws, Annie Ruth Edwards (Bobby) of Florida, Marquita Quimby (Robert) of Vicksburg, MS, and Shirley McCollum of Bailey, MS; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Randolph “Julius” McCollum; son, Brooks Gerald McCollum; grandson, Leonard Tadwick “Tad” Switzer; granddaughter, Shannon Kaye McCollum; father, Brooks Everett Ballinger; mother, Erie Jones Ballinger; and sisters, Agnes Mackey and Christine Beavers.

Pallbearers will be William Partridge, Keith Tedder, Kendall Boone, Bronson Harper, Tommy Brown, and Richard Mackey.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Paul Switzer, Murvis McCollum, Joey Rogers, and the deacons of Northcrest Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 196 Charmant Drive, Suite 4, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 22, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home.