Mary K. McCollum, 93, of Mt. Vernon, and a former Benton resident, passed away Tuesday morning, February 21, 2017 at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor. She was born in Jefferson County, IL on November 10, 1923, the daughter of Ivan & Lela (Downey) Puckett. She married Howard McCollum on November 26, 1947, and he preceded her in death on July 8, 2006. Mrs. McCollum worked at Tri-County Electric Co-op in Mt. Vernon for several years, and then she worked at Wilson, Hodge & Groh Architects in Mt. Vernon until retirement. Mrs. McCollum was a member of the Ina Free Will Baptist Church, and had attended the Benton First Free Will Baptist Church. She loved hand stitching, needlework & working on quilts. She loved dogs & cats, especially her cat “Boots” who survives. Mrs. McCollum is survived by her: Nephew: Robert E. Roberson (Susan Glaser) of Richview, Niece: Barbara Puckett of St. Louis, MO, Great-Nephew: Timothy H. Puckett (Dawn) of Evansville, IN, Great-Great Nephew: Marshall, Great-Great Niece: Victoria, Great-Niece: Kim Puckett (Curtis Daesch) of Carbondale, and Great-Great Nephew: Austin. She was preceded in death by her Parents, by her Step-Mother: Opal Puckett, by her Husband, by a Brother-Harold Puckett & wife Ferne & by a Nephew-Harold Keith Puckett. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 25th at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina. Graveside services will follow at the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton with Bro. David Shores officiating. For those who wish, Memorials may be made to the Ina Free Will Baptist Church.