Marva Ideahila McCollum was born September 6, 1946 in Atwood, Tennessee, she was born to the union of Otha C. McCollum and Willie McCollum. Both parents preceded her in death. Five Sisters, Deloris Harris, Cornelia Smith, Cora Anderson, Anna Barron, and Gwendolyn McCollum; Three brothers, Joseph McCollum. Charles McCollum and Eddie C. McCollum; one niece Sonya McCollum, all have preceded her in death. Marva gave her life to Christ at an early age as a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
In June of 1964, she graduated from Webb High School. Shortly thereafter she moved to St. Louis to start her initial training in Hematology under the guidance of older sisters’ Cornelia and Anna. Upon completion she moved to the Motor city to embark on her career at Detroit Medical Center and late with the VA of Detroit, working both, with the same work ethic she later moved back to St. Louis and continued to have a double career, with Barnes-Jewish and the VA until she retired.
While her schedule was full she still managed to complete her Bachelor of Science in Biology, from the Detroit Institute of Technology in May of 1979.
Marva worked hard and played hard, she was a well-traveled person, having visited most major cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and several continents. Her life perspective was one of a kind.
“Marva lived life”
“They kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, Tennessee 38305
731.668.1111 arringtonfuneralgroup.com