Nancy Janet Kirby McCollum

In Loving Memory of Nancy Janet Kirby McCollum With heavy hearts and profound love, we celebrate the life of Nancy Janet Kirby McCollum, who peacefully entered eternal rest on July 19, 2026, at the age of 81. Nancy was born on January 7, 1945, in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Rosa Lee Dickerson and Charles Kirby. She was raised on the Southside of Richmond, where she built lifelong friendships and developed the values of faith, family, hard work, and kindness that would guide her throughout her life. Nancy was a proud graduate of Armstrong High School, Class of 1963, a milestone she carried with pride throughout the years. There she met and eventually married the late Lee Albert McCollum, and their union was blessed with three beautiful children. Nancy was employed by the Richmond News Leader, where she dedicated many years of faithful service. While she faithfully served through her work, Nancy’s greatest calling was caring for others. She created a home where love was abundant and no one ever left without a warm meal and a full heart. A faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church for over 40 years, Nancy’s relationship with God was the foundation of her life. Her faith, humility, and gentle spirit touched countless lives and served as an example to everyone who knew her. Nancy had a passion for cooking and shopping, but nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with the people she loved. Family was her greatest treasure. She was known for her nurturing heart, her kindness, and her ability to make everyone feel welcomed and cared for. She had a quiet strength that carried her through life’s joys and hardships with dignity and grace. To know Nancy was to know unconditional love. Whether through a home-cooked meal, a warm smile, or a listening ear, she had a remarkable way of making everyone who entered her life feel like family. She treasured spending time with her close friends, creating lasting memories on bus tours, day trips, and excursions filled with laughter and fellowship. She also enjoyed attending gospel concerts and taking in theatrical performances, cherishing every opportunity to make memories with those she loved. Anyone who knew Nancy remembers her radiant smile that could light up a room. She took great pride in always looking her best, with her hair beautifully styled and her makeup perfectly done. One of her favorite traditions was spending Friday mornings getting her hair done by her beloved hairstylist, Kim. She carried herself with elegance, warmth, and confidence that reflected the beautiful person she was inside and out. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Rosa Lee Dickerson and Charles Kirby; her cherished son, Lee McCollum (Cynthia); her beloved daughter, Janet Archer; her dear siblings, Rose Marie Kirby, Carolyn Smith (Arthur), and Philip Kirby (Willnette); and her brother-in-law, Vester Lee McCollum Jr. (Faye). She leaves to cherish her precious memory her devoted daughter, Shelley Lewandowski (Gerry); her loving brother, Maxie Kirby; her bonus daughters, N’Chelle Israel and D’Anne Smith; her treasured grandchildren, Brandon Miller (Anastasia), Jasmine McCollum, Jessica Rooks (Julian), Bria McCollum, Bailey Young, and Jarina Miller; her adored great-grandchildren, Devyn Miller, Braedyn Rooks, Grace Rooks, Olivia Rooks, and Lovie Lee Ndialle; her dear in-laws, Vickie Griffin (Lloyd), Gloria Saunders (Dwayne), Glenda Agorsor (James) and Gary “Tim” McCollum (Cookie); along with a host of beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, extended family members, cherished friends, and all whose lives were blessed by her love. While our hearts mourn her absence, we rejoice in knowing that Nancy is at peace in the presence of the Lord. Her beautiful smile, gentle spirit, unwavering love, and quiet strength will never be forgotten. She taught us that true beauty is found not only in how we present ourselves, but in how deeply we love others. Though her gentle voice has been quieted and her beautiful smile is no longer seen, the love she poured into others will continue to be heard and felt in every life she touched. Her legacy lives on in her family, in the lessons she taught, and in the countless hearts forever changed by her kindness, grace, and unconditional love.

Tributes

Nancy Janet Kirby McCollum

January 7, 1945 - July 19, 2026