Barbara Ann McCollum

Barbara Ann Dempsey McCollum passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 11th with her children by her side. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ora Elizabeth Dempsey and Joseph Burnette “Jack” Dempsey. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, J. M. McCollum, her son Jimmy McCollum(Scott McDaniel), her daughter Jennifer McCollum, her brothers Jackie Dempsey and Donald Dempsey, sister-in-law Remell Williams along with numerous nieces, nephews, and grandnieces & grandnephews.

A devoted wife and mother, her greatest focus was always her children. From homework to Boy Scouts & Brownies, from piano lessons to endless driving for school activities, she never said no to anything her kids wanted to participate in and was always there to support them 100%.

Education was very important to Barbara McCollum. When she married at the age of 17, she was informed that Acworth High School did not allow married students. She hired an attorney and successfully sued for the right to attend. As a result of that 1953 lawsuit, many other girls were able to complete their education after marriage.

In her professional life, she worked as a bookkeeper, a secretary, and finally for many years as a real estate agent. Everyone who worked with her knew that her work had to be impeccable and marveled that her handwriting was so beautiful, perfect and uniform that it appeared to have come from a machine.

Mrs. McCollum was rooted in her faith and was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church for more than 70 years. Barbara and J.M. have many cherished church friends with whom they gathered regularly for years and years. They were fortunate enough to enjoy some wonderful and often recounted trips with some of these friends to Hawaii, New York . . .

Barbara was a founding member of the Big Shanty Garden Club where she had many wonderful times and experiences and made lifelong friends who continued to get together yearly for as long as they were able.

Barbara Ann Dempsey McCollum will be dearly missed. Her family will receive friends at at Winkenhofer Pine Ridge Funeral Home on Saturday October 15th, 2022 from 10:00-12:00 with a funeral service honoring her life immediately following in the Winkenhofer Chapel.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.winkenhoferpineridgefuneralhome.com for the McCollum family.