Ruth Irene Puckett McCollum

Ruth Irene Puckett McCollum of 623 Truman Road in the Bethany community of Rockingham County passed away at Hospice Home in Wentworth, North Carolina, Monday, July 10, 2017. Her parents were L. A. and Delia Puckett, and she was the sixth and middle child of eleven children. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, July 13, 2017 at New Lebanon Christian Church with Dr. Mark Harris and Demetra S. Rankin officiating. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, July 12, at Wilkerson Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and other times at her home. Ruth had a happy childhood growing up in Rockingham County. Before she graduated from Wentworth High School in 1945, she had an outstanding high school career. She was a charter member of the first Wentworth High School Beta Club, Miss Wentworth 1943-1944, and a member of the newspaper and yearbook staffs. Ruth was the point guard and captain of the women’s basketball team and selected as Most Athletic for her senior class. She also sang and acted and was the female lead in the senior musical, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, directed by J. Allan Lewis, who always remembered her as a wonderful thespian. On October 26, 1947, Ruth married Holton McColllum of the Bethany community. However, before she agreed to marry him, he had to help REA put light poles on his family farm to provide electricity for the family home. Ruth became an active member of New Lebanon Church and Bethany community. As well as being a faithful church member, she taught Sunday School, served as the Sunday School secretary, sang in the choir, and was a member and leader of Circle #1 and an Awana leader. In addition to her church activities, Ruth was a 4-H Club leader and coached the Bethany Community women’s softball team. After working in a variety of businesses, Ruth became self-employed before she retired. Throughout her life she loved sports and competition and was well-known for her ability to win at Rook and her delicious apple pies and Italian cream cakes. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Holton McCollum, and their infant daughter, Delia Mae, as well as her siblings: Virginia P. Richardson, Elizabeth P. Lawson, Sallie P. Rakestraw, L.A. Puckett, Jr., Elaine P. Sharp, Richard Puckett, Alfred Puckett, Polly P. Blankenbaker, and Donald Puckett. She is survived by her children: Phillip “Phil” McCollum (Bonnie), Cecelia (Cissy) M. Murphy (George), Amelia “Mimi” M. McNairy, Holton Worth “Dubby” McCollum, Jr., and Lydia M. Knight (Pat). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Carrie McCollum (Mitch), J.R. Duncan, Tom Murphy (Claire), Troy Duncan (Jon), Will Murphy (Micela), and Patty Hopper as well as by her great-grandchildren: Chase Hopper (Chelsea), Lauren Hopper, and Grace Duncan and by her great-great-grandson, Layne Hopper. Ruth is also survived by her brother Lloyd Puckett (Bev) and by her sisters-in-law: Margie Puckett, Joyce Puckett, Sandra Puckett, and Hazel Puckett. She also treasured her many nieces and nephews who survive her as well as those who thought of her as “Mama Ruth.” She also leaves behind many cherished friends. Memorials may be made to New Lebanon Church, Hospice of Rockingham County, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.