Avanal Collum

Avanal Collum Corpus Christi , TXAvanal Collum, a Corpus Christi resident since 1938 and a member of Second Baptist Church since 1944, passed away on April 28, 2013. Avanal was born on October 7, 1917 in Gatesville, Texas to R. Q. and Lillie Mae West. She grew up in Abilene, Texas where she graduated from high school at age 16. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and English from Texas Wesleyan College, she taught all grade levels in a one room school in Geraldine, Texas, before moving to Corpus Christi to marry her husband of 63 years.Avanal was a devoted housewife and mother for years as well as a creative 'contester' who won numerous prizes for her writing of jingles and '25 words or less' compositions, before taking up teaching again in her forties. She taught early childhood education in the Corpus Christi Independent School District until her retirement, while earning a Master's degree from Antioch University at the age of 62. During retirement, she became an excellent student of painting.Avanal was preceded in death by her husband, Ona Pinckney and three brothers, Roger West, Gerald West and Joe West. She is survived by three sons, Gerald Wayne Collum (Kay) of Waco, Texas, Alan Ray Collum of Corpus Christi, Joel Kent Collum (Vicki) of Seguin, Texas; one daughter, Ronda Keryn Collum of New York City; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one brother, Victor West of San Diego, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at Seaside Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at the Seaside Chapel on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. followed by burial at Seaside Memorial Park.The family wishes to thank the staff of Trinity Towers Holmgreen and Odyssey Hospice for their loving care as well as the Homebound Committee of Second Baptist Church for their loving devotion and the beautiful artwork of the children of Second Baptist.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Second Baptist Church Building Fund or a charity of the donor's choice. To view tribute, please visit www.seasidefuneral.com.