Joel Ralph McCollum, age 73, died March 29, 2023 at Shepperd’s Cove in Albertville, Al. He was born in Etowah County, Gadsden, Al on July 28, 1949; to Robert Wayne McCollum and Willie J (Bill) Gilbreath McCollum. He was married to the former Martha Mignon Dyar for 53 years. He was a member of Blue Springs Baptist Church in Somerville, AL. He was a 1967 graduate of Arab High School. He was also a 1971 graduate from Huntsville Hospital XRay school as a registered radiology technician. Ralph also received his associates degree in the ministry from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1997. He was employed by Arab Hospital and Marshall Medical Center North for 47 years. He started as a phlebotomist at the age of 15 and retired from Diagnostic Imaging department after many years; serving as a xray tech and supervisor. He retired in 2011.
He enjoyed Alabama sports of all sorts; football, basketball and baseball. He enjoyed studying his Bible. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed music, especially southern gospel and “Doo-wop”. He was always good for a good joke telling and he had no trouble carrying on a conversation.
He is survived by his wife Martha Mignon McCollum, daughter Krystal (Russell) Wright, daughter in law Winafred Kelsoe McCollum, brother Kermit (Carolyn) McCollum, sister Shelby (Marvin) Dunn, and Glenda Isbell.
Grandchildren Hannah (Dalton) Payne, Wil McCollum, Sloan McCollum, Drew McCollum, Adam Wright and Libby Wright.
Great grandchildren Katherine Payne and Isabella Payne.
He was preceded in death by his son Jason Eric McCollum, father Robert Wayne McCollum, mother Willie J (Bill) Gilbreath McCollum, brother Ricky McCollum and sister Sheila Whitt.
Pallbearers are Dewayne Dunn, Stephen McCollum, Raymond McCollum, Bro. Brandon Dyar, Bro. Terry Sharp and Dale Brock. Honorary pallbearers are Dewight Hayes, Gary Beam and Tony Cox.
The funeral will be at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel in Arab, Al. Saturday, April 1, 2023. Family will receive friends from 12:00pm-1:45pm. Funeral service will begin at 2:00pm with graveside service and burial following the service at Gilliam Springs Cemetery.
