Mary McCollough

Mary Ruth Orr McCollough was born in Lyman, Oklahoma, on May 7, 1930, and slipped away peacefully on October 10, 2022. Mary grew up in Shidler and Owasso, Oklahoma. She had a happy childhood and adored her father, Clay Orr, and her mother, Gladys Orr. Mary had vivid memories of good (and sometimes mischievous) times with her three brothers, Reg, Charles, and Jim. She remained close to her family throughout their lives and continued to be in close contact with her nieces and nephews through her final days.

Mary’s life can be described succinctly as “Faith, Family, and Fun.” Mary’s church family was central to her life, and she served in many leadership positions at First Christian Church, Fort Smith, Arkansas. In 1987, Mary became the first woman elder to serve in her church and she was also active in larger Christian organizations such as Church Women United.

Mary attended Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma, where she met the love of her life, Herman McCollough, on a blind date. They met in February 1950, were engaged in May, and married in August. Mary liked to say, “When you meet the right one, you know it.” Mary and Herman had three children, Bill (Shauna Olinger), Susan (Jim Barnett), and Ann (Bill Oglesby); eight grandchildren, Lacey, Ryan, Craig, Kristin, Sam, Amy, Daniel, and Matthew; and fourteen great-grandchildren. Mary and Herman celebrated a joyous 50th wedding anniversary prior to Herman’s death in 2000. Mary adored her family and they adored her.

Mary had a great sense of adventure and was one to try anything. Even well into her mid-80’s, you could find Mary on a four-wheeler, a wave runner, or at the top of a lighthouse. She cherished her friends, and there were many, including those from her bridge clubs, her fellow volunteers, her church buddies, and her neighbors. Mary loved to travel and treasured her memories of her trips both across the United States and around the world.

Much of Mary’s life revolved around music. She played piano from the time she was six years old until literally two weeks before her death. She taught over 250 Fort Smith children to play the piano, and she and Herman owned a music store. Mary loved to attend concerts and the theater, and had season tickets to the symphony for years. In her final days, the sound of classical music brought her peace.

Mary was hard-working, intelligent, and independent. If you wanted to be proven wrong, you just had to tell Mary that there was something she couldn’t do. She was an avid sports fan and loved her Razorbacks.

Mary was beloved and will be missed beyond measure by her family and friends. All are invited to celebrate Mary’s life at a memorial service and reception at First Christian Church, Fort Smith, on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Private family burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Mary McCollough Memorial Fund at First Christian Church, Fort Smith.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com