Obituaries:  John M. McCollister, Sabine Parish       M-242
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Oct 14, 1976
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net




**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 

John M. McCollister (Photo)

  John M. McCollister, 80, of Florien, died on Monday, Oct. 11, at
12:45 a.m., following an extended illness.

  McCollister, a native of Sabine Parish, served 35 years as board
member of the Sabine Parish School Board, representing Wd. 2.
Elected in July 1938, McCollister retired on Dec. 18, 1974.

  It was on Dec. 18, 1974, that the faithful boardsman was honored
with "John M. McCollister Day", at the new Florien High School.

  Florien High principal Joe R. Salter stated at that time "This
school building is a memorial to Mr. McCollister. It will remain
here long after he is gone."

  Charley Jett, Wd. 1 boardsman praised McCollister by saying
"Without him we wouldn't have this fine school. He is a fine man,
and has worked hard for the schools."

  Many were saddened by his death early this week. Florien schools
dismissed at noon Wednesday, for his funeral.

  John M. McCollister was born in the Toro Community on Feb. 24,
1895, to Mr. and Mrs. Benard McCollister.

  He received schooling at a tiny country school in Pleasant Hill.

  As a young man, McCollister married Trudie Jackson of Many. He
had $10 in his pocket at the time.

  Shortly thereafter, McCollister joined the United States Army.

  Over the years, McCollister had farmed for a living, been in the
logging business, and driven a school bus.

  A family man, McCollister belonged to one club, the American
Legion, Post 211 in Hornbeck.

  McCollister was a very active member of the Pleasant Hill
Baptist Church. He served as Deacon for some 40 years.

  Known and loved throughout the parish as a faithful and
hard-working School Board member, McCollister will be remembered
as the foundation of the construction of Florien's new school.

  Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Trudie McCollister of Florien;
four daughters, Mrs. Thelma Dewil, and Mrs. Cumiea Rains, both of
Florien, Mrs. Gwen Wilkerson of Shreveport, and Mrs. Dorothy
Satkamp of Marianna, Fla.; one son, Frankie A. McCollister of
Shreveport; two brothers, Jeff McCollister, and Arthur
McCollister, both of Many; five sisters, Mrs. Ona Miller of
Florien, Mrs. Vivian Small of Haughton, Mrs. Ida Sibley of Many,
and Mrs. Ethel Small of Galveston, Tex., and Mrs. Grace Jackson
of Baytown, Tex.; 17 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren.

  Funeral services were held at the Old Pleasant Hill Baptist
Church on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. The Rev. Robert Graham,
and the Rev. Johnny Rhodes officiated.

  Pallbearers were Wiley Cummings, J. C. Morris, Bobby McDonald,
Charley Jett, and Sherman Tatum.

  Burial was in the Old Pleasant Hill Cemetery, under the
direction of Warren Meadows, Funeral Home.