Irene McCollum

IRENE M. "RENE" McCOLLUM, 85, of Jacksonville, passed away Sept. 18, 2010. She was born April 23, 1925 in Morehouse, Mo., to Frank and Ida Elder. Mom was certified as an airline stewardess, nurse and beautician, but her job in life was a full-time wife, mother, grandmother and Christian servant. Until her final days, her motto was "If God gives me the day; He gives it for service to him." She worked faithfully even to the age of 84 with all ages in her church. Most will remember her as "Miss Huggie," since her mission became to hug everyone she came near, to show the outpouring of God's love to all. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. She is survived by her son, James D. Carr Sr. of Jacksonville; daughter, Rebecca Hardwick and John of Jacksonville; step-sons, Bill McCollum and Betty of Lenexa, Kan., Bobby McCollum and Mary of Dallas, Texas; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husbands, James O. Carr, William Howell, and Robert McCollum; two sisters and two brothers. Visitation will be Monday, Sept. 20, 2010, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at North Little Rock Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, 10 a.m., September 21, 2010, at the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. Burial will be at Mayflower Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, 401 North First Street, Jacksonville, Ark. 72076 or Pet Angels of Jacksonville, 217 S. Redmond Road, Jacksonville, Ark. 72076. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home, 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.