Phillip "Phil" Bryan McCollum

On Friday, August 14, 2026, Phillip Bryan “Phil” McCollum crossed the river into the uncharted territory of his eternal rest. He was born February 28, 1949, to Holton Worth and Ruth Puckett McCollum, the first child in a family of six children. From his birth in 1949 to his brother’s birth in 1954, Phil went from an only child to the oldest brother of four children under the age of five. To lighten Ruth’s workload, Holton took Phil everywhere he went on the farm and in the community except hunting, though there were extremely long walks through the woods; maybe those walks developed Phil’s lifelong wandering spirit. Phil’s knowledge of farming, animals, and social situations was extensive by the time he entered school at age six.

He attended Bethany High School from Grade 1 through Grade 12 and graduated in 1967. During high school, he played on the varsity baseball team and was a member of the team that swore an oath of secrecy to never reveal the score of one of their games. He took that secret score to the grave. He also worked in the Junior Store, enjoyed the time students had in the break room, joined in the football games without a football, and earned his nicknames of JD (Juvenile Delinquent) and Meany (part of the triumvirate of Meany, Muscles, his cousin Harry Sharp, and Mouthpiece, his neighbor Richard McGehee).

After graduation, Phil helped harvest his last crop of tobacco in 1967 and then took a job with Vicks Manufacturing in Greensboro. That time of employment was short-lived because early in 1968, he received his draft notification and was inducted into the Army in the spring of 1969. After boot camp, he was sent to Fort Knox for additional training. Phil was then sent to Germany where he spent the remainder of his enlistment as a driver. In Germany he was able to spend some time with his cousin Kenny Jones and with friend Gary Lasley, who were also stationed in Germany. In one letter home, Phil mentioned that German girls did not shave under their arms which caused his mother a lot of anxiety, but he did enjoy German Oktoberfest.

Phil’s return to civilian life was not an easy transition; he and other returning servicemen from the Vietnam Conflict often felt unappreciated by a world that had moved on without them while their lives had been irrevocably changed by their military experiences. Eventually, Phil and his friends pulled together a network that stretched across Rockingham County, spread into Stokesdale and Greensboro, and eventually crossed state lines. Phil’s willingness to listen with empathy to the experiences of his friends and to join in the fun of Rodger Dodgers, Boogies, farm parties, and concerts made him a constant companion to many. His life during this time also included using the GI Bill to attend Rockingham Community College for the carpentry program.

Phil’s wandering spirit often led to some unusual family moments. We would always plan a birthday party for Phil, but we were often left to blow out the candles and eat the cake without him. But those times were offset by the times he brought multiple unexpected guests to the celebrations. Phil’s gifts were quite often treasures he found on his travels, not treasures he bought.

On October 4, 1994, Phil’s life changed when he married the love of his life, Bonnie Southern Southard. They bought the house that he grew up in and moved next door to his parents. His friend circle remained large and full of good times, especially the Sunday Afternoon Poker Game. For the last thirty years, Phil and Bonnie have lived his best life with his wandering spirit soothed by her steady love and presence by his side.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Holton and Ruth McCollum, his sister, Delia Mae McCollum, and his brothers-in-law: Wayne McNairy, Gary Duncan, and Bill Torbush. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie McCollum; his stepdaughter, Patty Hopper; grandson, Chase Hopper (Chelsea); granddaughter, Lauren Hopper (Hunter);great-grandson, Layne Hopper; and great-granddaughter, Whitleigh Travis. He is also survived by his siblings: Cecelia “Cissy” Murphy (George), Amelia “Mimi” McNairy, Holton “Dub,” and Lydia Knight (Pat). His surviving niece is Carrie McCollum. His surviving nephews are JR Duncan, Tom Murphy (Claire), Troy Duncan (Jon Robbins), and Will Murphy (Micela Leis). His surviving great-nieces are Grace Duncan, Harper Murphy, Kyrie Murphy-Leis, and BillieAnn McCollum-Wrenn. His surviving great-nephews are Bennett McCollum-Wrenn and Gryffin Leis-Murphy.