Mary D. McCollough

Mary Virginia McCollough, 77, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with her beloved family by her side.

Mary was born November 23, 1948, in Peason, Louisiana, to Tom and Gelee Cummings Dowden. She was raised in Peason and graduated from Florien High School in Florien, Louisiana. She later attended McNeese State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, beginning a lifelong calling to nurture and guide young minds.

Mary devoted many years to education in Southwest Louisiana, teaching at Jackson Street Elementary, Forest Hill Elementary, R.W. Vincent, and LeBlanc Middle School. Her love for children and learning eventually led her to open and operate Wee Wisdom Preschool in Sulphur, where she continued sharing her patience, kindness, and gentle encouragement with generations of young students.

Outside of the classroom, Mary found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved tending to her garden and spending quiet evenings relaxing with those she loved, often with a glass of wine and good conversation close at hand. Above all, Mary cherished her family and the time they shared together.

Those left to honor her memory are her loving husband, Thomas Carl McCollough; her sons, Thomas Michael McCollough and wife Mary, and Ryan Patrick McCollough and wife Ruth; her grandchildren, Emily, Austin, Cody, Katelyn, and Ty; her step-grandchildren, Camran and Ethan; her sister, Gwenda McKenzie; along with many nieces, nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Annis Tarver and her husband, John Reid Tarver; and her brother-in-law, Ralph McKenzie.

A Memorial Service in honor of Mary will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in the Johnson Funeral Home of Sulphur Chapel. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service. Cremation has been entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home.

Mary will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her dedication to children and education, and the quiet love she shared so freely with her family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she helped shape and in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.