John Taylor McCollum

Ruffin–John Taylor McCollum, 79, of 231 Willow Lane, died Saturday, September 13, 2008, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, September 16, 2008, at Wilkerson Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery, with Rev. James Raines officiating. Pallbearers will be Ron Franklin, Wayne French, Wes Connor, Hunter Page, Danny McCollum, Greg Pruitt and Joe Niemczura. Honorary pallbearer will be Nathan Strader. Mr. McCollum, the son of the late Robert Lee McCollum and Nannie Carter, was a native of the Bethany Community and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death of his son , Tommy Lee McCollum. He was co-owner of Franklin Discount in Danville for 25 years and was retired from Dan River after 45 years as a weave room supervisor. He also served in the US Navy. Mr. McCollum was an avid gardener and always enjoyed family gatherings where all could sit around to share family stories and jokes He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kay McCollum, of the home; sons; John Denny McCollum and wife, Naihong, of High Point and David Lee McCollum and wife, Krissy, of Stoneville; daughters; Kim McCollum-Clark and husband, Robert, of Lancaster, Pa., and Caroline McCollum Smothers and husband, John, of Brown Summit; 6 grandchildren; brothers, Joe McCollum of Bethany and James Dickerson of Ruffin and special friend, Nathan Strader. The family will receive friends, Monday, September 15, 2008, at Wilkerson Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and other times at the residence. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, P O Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.