Eleanor Counts McCollum Felton

Eleanor Counts McCollum Felton, 87, widow of Daniel Henry Felton, Jr., died peacefully at her home in Felton on October 26, 2010, after a long illness. She was born on August 17, 1923, in Memphis, Tenn., the eldest child of Frederick Newton McCollum and Varnelle Bonner McCollum. Mrs. Felton was raised in Clarendon, Ark., where she lived until 1943 when her family moved to Forrest City, Ark., after her father purchased the Times-Herald newspaper. She attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where she was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity. Mrs. Felton had lived in Felton since her marriage on October 8, 1944. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 60 years, her parents, her son-in-law, Thomas Benton Smith, and her brother, Frederick Newton McCollum, Jr. Survivors include her three children, Daniel Henry Felton III and wife Sara Ann of Felton, Martha Counts Felton Smith Morton and husband Asa of Little Rock, Richard Trent Felton and wife Becky of Felton, her sister, Martha Jane McCollum Mann, of Memphis, TN, and her brother, Trent Bonner McCollum, of Forrest City. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Daniel Henry Felton IV and wife Josephine of Little Rock, James Stevenson Felton of Medellin, Colombia, Catherine Ruth Felton Kelly and husband Alex of Charlotte, N.C., Thomas Benton Smith Jr. and wife Alexis of Jonesboro, Counts Louise Smith Shanks and husband Stephen of Springdale, Richard Trent Felton, Jr. and wife Mendy and Jason Thomas Felton and wife Laura Beth of Felton, Dena Elizabeth Felton Chamblee and husband Christian of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Rebecca Reynolds Felton of Little Rock, and by 13 great-grandchildren. In her early years, she was the prized piano student of her grandmother, Eleanor Counts Bonner (one of the first female graduates of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music). Although she was a business major while attending the University of Arkansas, she was an aspiring authoress, writing all of her papers in her perfect, flawless script. After marriage and moving to Lee County, Mrs. Felton became active in all aspects of life in Marianna. Being a lifetime Methodist, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a former member of the United Methodist Women. Mrs. Felton played bridge throughout her adult life, both in Marianna and Florida. She was a member of the Marianna Self-Culture Club, the Tuesday and Friday Bridge Clubs and a lifetime Junior Auxiliary Member. In the 1980s, Mrs. Felton and her husband began to divide their time between the Felton farm and their home in Florida, where for many years they delighted in entertaining and socializing with family and friends. A graveside service will be held at Cedar Heights Cemetery in Marianna, with Stevens Funeral Home of Forrest City in charge of arrangements. The family expresses their gratitude to Marilyn Sims and Joyce Sims, her loving caregivers. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 59 S. Poplar Street, Marianna, Ark. 72360.