MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Little, Chaney, Davis, Dawkins, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jordan, Lee (35th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND REMEMBERING THE LEGACY OF ALCORN COUNTY CHANCERY CLERK LARRY W. MCCOLLUM AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Larry W. McCollum, 65, Alcorn County Chancery Clerk since 1988, died on Friday, April 20, 2007; and
WHEREAS, friends and associates are remembering Chancery Clerk Larry McCollum as a cornerstone of county government and a man who always had the public interest at heart; and
WHEREAS, Larry W. McCollum was educated at Kossuth High School, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Mississippi State University, Mississippi School of Banking-University of Mississippi and the School of Banking of the South Louisiana State University. He taught at Alcorn Central High School and at Biggersville High School. He was Vice President of Security Bank for 16 years and served as Alcorn County Chancery Clerk for 20 years. He was a member of East Corinth Baptist Church where he taught Men's Class at Sunday School and was a Deacon. He was Deputy Commissioner of the Soil Conservation Service and served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Northeast Mississippi Community College since 1980. He had served as past President of the Corinth YMCA, the Corinth Kiwanis Club, the Corinth-Alcorn County Boys Club, the N.E. Miss Chapter, Bank Administration Institute and the Mississippi Chancery Clerk's Association; and
WHEREAS, the former Alcorn Central High School and Biggersville High School Teacher and Banker at Security Bank was elected the same year that Senate President Pro Tempore Travis Little was elected Supervisor, and the two worked closely in county government; and
WHEREAS, Larry McCollum looked out for the people's interest from every standpoint, whether it was public policy or personal needs that people had. He was always interested in helping people regardless of their status in life. Associates say that was evident in his advocacy and support of projects such as Northeast at Corinth and the Corinth Crisis Intervention Center, which provides beds for mentally ill patients, remodeling of the Chancery Building, the launch of the 911 system in Alcorn County and the Tuscumbia Wildlife Management Area. Larry was also the "go-to" person for questions about county government; and
WHEREAS, he had received the following awards in 2006: the Spirit of Service Award from the Corinth Alliance, the "Vocation of the Year Award" and the "Paul Harris Fellow" Award, both from the Corinth Rotary Club; and
WHEREAS, survivors include his wife, Myra Morton McCollum; his mother, Rachel Rushing McCollum; one son, Chip McCollum of Biggersville; two daughters, Katie (Rich) Vaughan Reeves of Corinth, and Joanie Vaughan of Nashville, Tennessee; three sisters; his special uncle and aunt; and a granddaughter; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this public servant, and for his legacy of effective government and a lifetime of selfless service, a grateful state thanks him:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and remember the legacy of Alcorn County Chancery Clerk Larry W. McCollum and express to his surviving family the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Mr. McCollum, be forwarded to the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.