Willie James McCollum affectionately called “Jabo” was born on January 29th 1935 in Hull, FL, to the late Conley and Rosa Lee McCollum. To this union six children were born.
Willie attended the public schools of DeSoto County. After becoming of age, he enlisted in the military and became a cook in the United Stated Army. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Willie was honorably discharged and retired from the Army after serving nearly 21 years. Willie was a faithful member of Mt Zion AME Church and a member of the Son’s of Allen ministry.
He is preceded in death by a son, Reginald Lee McCollum; daughter, Sandra G. McCollum; sister, Mattie McCollum; and brother, Conley McCollum (Odell). Willie leaves to cherish his loving memory two daughters, Jerinae (Welmon) Speed of Rockledge, FL, and Devon (Stephan) Jenrette of Oak Creek, WI; two sisters, Nira Mae McCollum of Sarasota, Gretha Jenkins of Landover, MD; brother, Clarence (Gloria) McCollum of Forestville, Maryland; and five grandchildren: Reginald McCollum, Keashea McCollum, Willie James Speed and wife Shannon, Diamond S. Jenrette, and Simaya A. Speed. He also leaves to mourn his passing, a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Special thanks to Loving Friends, Mr. William Harold Lattimore, Mr. Alfonzo Fleming, & Mr. Herbert Hall.
A viewing will be held at 9 AM on Monday, March 18, 2013 with services following at 10 AM at Mt. Zion AME Church, 256 So. Orange Avenue, Arcadia with Reverend V.C. Fayson. Interment with full military honors will be presented by the US Army and National Guard at 12:30 PM at Sarasota National Cemetery.
Please sign the guestbook below.
Jerinae,
May The Lord be the comfort and strength you and your family will need during this time of loss and always.
Jan
We pray the strength, peace, comfort, & love of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ & His Holy Spirit, be with you & your family during your time of loss & sorrow. We continue to uphold in our daily prayers. Love in Christ, The Figs
We will miss you our friend. May the Lord be with your family & help them through this difficult time. Stokes (ST) & Diane Ludgood
With our greatest sympathy. He will be missed. May the Lord give you and your family comfort during this time of sorrow. We love you!
The Mack Family
Jab was a wonderful father-in-law. He was kind, generous and a great story teller. He will be missed. I affectionately called him O.G. ’Original Gangster’ not because of anything bad he had done but because I saw a picture of him in his younger days when he was dressed really sharp. For the same reason, I would referred to him also as ’Sweet Papa the Heart Stopper’.
With Deep Respect and Love
Welmon V Speed Jr. (son-in-law)