Louise Williams Mccollum

Louise Williams McCollum February 2, 1924 -- July 13, 2006 Louise Williams McCollum, 82, was born in Winton, WY, on February 2, 1924, to Estelle and W. Ed Williams, and died on July 13, 2006, in her Waco home. Her radiant external beauty never faded, and was matched by the internal glow that kept her focused on the things she valued the most: her relationship with God, her husband Bob, her daughters and their husbands, and the grandchildren who constantly amazed her with their purpose-driven lives and their love for each other. Family visitation will take place on Sunday, July 16, from 5-7 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch- Bailey Garden Room. On Monday, July 17, following a private graveside service, a memorial service celebrating Louise’s life will be held at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. with Rev. Don Scott officiating. The family will greet friends after the service in the church fellowship hall. Louise attended high school in Abilene, TX, and college at TCU in Fort Worth, where she met Bob Robert Wayne McCollum. Over the years, she told her daughters and grandchildren that Bob was the most “exciting” man on campus; he told them that Louise was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Their romance was interrupted by World War II: Bob became a Marine officer, and Louise became one of the first stewardesses hired by American Airlines for its maiden Chicago to New York route. When Bob returned from the Pacific at the end of the war, they wasted no time re-connecting, and married in May 1946, eventually having four daughters, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. As Bob’s career advanced, they moved frequently, but Louise had a gift for creating a lovely, serene, well-run home wherever they lived. The family moved to Waco in 1966, where Bob grew a business and Louise blessed her family with a home filled with warmth and security. That home has served as a refuge to their daughters for 40 incredible years. It has been the setting to which their grandchildren have returned eagerly to bask in affection and celebrate their shared family traditions, including row-filling at Austin Avenue Methodist on special occasions. What more precious gifts could Louise and Bob have given their family than these? Life on Waco’s Braemar Street surely rivals any in Mayberry for thoughtful neighbors who have shared their love through the joys and sorrows of the McCollum household. They have been a great comfort to all of us in recent years, as have the many longtime friends from across this wonderful community. Among those are Louise’s bridge club and mahjongg buddies, her Evans Sunday School class, the Sunday night dining-out women friends, and the Friday night RCC dinner group. Louise was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 2003, who adored her for 57 years of marriage; her parents; and her sister, Shirley Williams Ratcliff. She is survived by daughters Sandy Hogan of Shreveport, LA; Diane Jackson of Waco; Nancy Potts and husband Tom of Waco; and Mary Lou Clark and husband Edward of Fort Worth; grandchildren Christi Crain and husband Glenn; Lindsay Braunig and husband Warren; Byron Jackson; Robert Henry and wife Leslie; Michael Henry and wife Brook; Caroline Traylor, Will Clark, Neale Clark and Kelley Clark; great-grandson Glenn Crain V; two special Williams family nieces Terry Randall and Scotty Eckert; close family member and friend Patsy McCollum; and other McCollum family including Marguerite McCollum, Lucy and Jesse McMurray, and Mary Frances and Burton Meador. During the past two years, Louise has treasured the special companionship of Chuck Herdy and his family. We are deeply appreciative of the loving care shown our mother by caregivers Ozella Henderson, Oneesha Henderson and Allegra Harris; and Providence Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Ave., Waco, TX 76701. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey