Lorene Howell McCollum passed from this life into eternity on July 20, 2019 after her courageous battle with cancer in Lufkin, TX. She was born in Dry Creek, Louisiana, January 11, 1939, the daughter of Charles and Nettie Howell. She graduated from Dry Creek High School and later met the love of her life, Rev. Everett McCollum. She and Everett were married April 19, 1957 in Cloverleaf, TX. Mrs. McCollum loved being a preacher's wife. She was always active in helping to lead missionary trips with the churches that they helped to minister. They had three children that they raised together. Lorene loved to cook, canning vegetables from their garden, crocheting, fishing and of course planting her gorgeous flowers. She loved to learn and went on to attend and graduate from Stephen F. Austin University with bachelor's degree. She taught school for numerous years and she later took on the task of becoming the manager of the Trinity Chamber of Commerce. She and Rev. McCollum were members of First United Methodist Church of Trinity.
Mrs. McCollum was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Everett McCollum in February of 2018; parents, Charles and Nettie Howell; two sisters, Varina Mitchell and Juelene Fontenot; and three brothers, C.W., Joe and Fred Howell. She is survived by her three children: daughter, Penny Thornton and husband, Lamar Thornton of Chita, TX; daughter, Ginger Gage and husband, Terry Gage of Henderson, TX; son, Richard McCollum and wife, Colinda McCollum of Silsbee, TX; siblings: brother, Rusty Howell and wife, Kay Howell; sister, Vonnie Tyler and husband, Ronnie Tyler; brother, Johnny Howell and wife, Diane Howell; eight grandchildren: Lynn Kirkland and husband, Danny Kirkland, Lorianne Morris and husband, Cory Morris, April Ward and husband, Michael Ward, Blair Williams and wife, Jamie Williams, Dustin McCollum and fiancé, Danielle Smith, Tyler McCollum, Ashley Bowman and husband, James Bowman; ten great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends, also survive.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 24, 2019 until service time at 10:00 a.m. in the Cartwright Memorial Chapel of Groveton Funeral Home with Rev. Jim McConnell officiating. Interment will follow in Chita Cemetery in Chita, TX. She will be escorted to her final resting place by her pallbearers: Dustin McCollum, Blair Williams, James Bowman, Michael Ward, Kolby Kirkland, Ty Kirkland and Clayton Kirkland.

Please share your thoughts and memories on the Groveton Funeral Home Guestbook Page. Services arranged by Groveton Funeral Home, Directors.