I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. -- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)
In the early morning hours of the 1st of April, my great uncle Tracy "Paw Paw" McCollister's soul went to be with the Lord in Heaven. From first hand accounts from those who were in the hospital room with him, he died so peacefully that he really seemed like he, "had just fallen asleep."
At the age of 91, he was the last of seven McCollister brothers to leave this world, and he did so after living a full life of service to his Savior, to his church, and to his family. And just as the Son of God triumphantly entered Jerusalem on that glorious Palm Sunday over 2000 years ago, Tracy McCollister had a front row view of the Almighty's throne room on the crystal sea as the sun arose on that same day in 2007.
My Dad spoke at the funeral of the Istrouma Icon (a nickname I have bestowed on him) who served at the church for over 50 years in whatever capacity was priority at the moment. He talked about Paw Paw's consistency and steadiness, how Uncle Tracy always seemed to "be there for him". My father's parents died when he was younger, so his uncle became a surrogate father-figure to him, and a surrogate grandfather to me.
Yes, we're gonna miss him. But for those of us who truly knew his heart, we know he would want us to carry on the great legacy he started of serving Jesus for over half a century.
For more on Tracy McCollister, I've included his full obituary
after the jump >>
Tracy Herndon McCollister Sr.
McCollister Sr., Tracy Herndon A retired mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and a resident of Baton Rouge, he died peacefully in his sleep at 3 a.m. Sunday, April 1, 2007, at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Bluebonnet. He was 91 and a native of DeRidder. He was a graduate of Lake Charles High School. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., was on Tuesday, April 3, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at Istrouma Baptist Church continues Wednesday from 9 a.m. until religious service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Ron Lambe. Interment at Roselawn Memorial Park. Survived by his wife, Louise Beard Humphreys McCollister; two daughters, Elizabeth Albright of Pittsburgh, and Rhenda Addison of Dallas; three sons, Tracy H. "T.H." McCollister Jr. and wife Renee of Warner Robins, Ga., Donald Leroy McCollister and wife Sandra of Baton Rouge, and Gerald Humphreys and wife Judy of New Roads; 13 grandchildren, Sherry and Shane Humphreys, Chris, Blaine and Nathan Addison, Mark, Matt and Faith McCollister, Julie and Todd Albright, Christy and Michael Tatum, and Stephanie McCollister Kelleher; and 12 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his first wife, Verniece Glotz McCollister; sister, Imogene Routon; brothers, Bryan, Delmar, Luther D. Jr., William, Rolfe Sr. and Ralph McCollister; and grandson, Brad McCollister. Pallbearers will be deacons of Istrouma Baptist Church. He served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Istrouma Baptist Church for 50-plus years and led the Judson Baptist Association senior adult programs for many years. He loved stamp collecting, travel, all LSU sports and was an avid football fan. Memorial donations may be made to the Future Fund of Istrouma Baptist Church.
(Originally published in The Advocate from 4/2/2007 - 4/4/2007)
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