John Gilbert McCollum, age 90, of Sulligent, AL, formerly of the Splunge Community in Monroe County, MS, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at his residence.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 3:00pm from the Otts Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Lann Cemetery in Splunge, MS.  Sister Sheila Gunter to officiate.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home prior to the funeral service from 2:00pm until 3:00pm.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Eric Ling, Justin Ling, Colby Ling, Daniel McCollum, Brian McCollum, and Casey McCollum.

John was born in Tupelo, MS on May 16, 1935, to Gilbert and Sarah McCollum.  When his family moved to Terrell, AR, he met and married his wife of 32 years, Nettie Louise White. Together, they raised eight children, four girls and four boys.

During his lifetime, John worked many jobs, mainly on farms in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After moving back to MS, he worked several years as a maintenance man at Walker Manufacturing in Aberdeen, MS.  He later became a top-notch mechanic of tractors and farming equipment at International Harvester before he retired in 1982.

John was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting with family and friends.  He loved watching football, basketball, and baseball, especially when his favorite team, MS State, was playing. He was also a lover of NASCAR racing where he watched his favorite driver, Chase Elliott, win many races and championships. During his final years, John found immense pleasure playing card games, bingo, and dominoes with his many friends at Lawrence Plaza apartments where he lived in Sulligent.

John is survived by his sister, Patricia Little, of Hamilton, MS, a brother, Jim McCollum, of Surprise, Arizona, four of his children, Johnny Lee McCollum (Karen) of Franklin, KY, Billy Joe McCollum, of Amory, MS, Linda Gail Isbell (Donnie) of Greenwood Springs, MS, and Margaret Carol Vaughan (Lavies) of Amory, MS, as well as 18 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Nettie McCollum, his sons, George Gilbert and Jerry G, his two daughters, Judy Kay Howell and Lois Ann Kennedy, and his great grandson, Noah Gregory Ruffin.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at: www.ottsfuneralhome.net

Otts Funeral Home

Sulligent, AL, Directing