Ernestine R. McCollough

Ernestine Roberts McCollough, the daughter of the late James and Joe Allean Cochran-Roberts, was born on September 8, 1956, in Marion County, South Carolina. She triumphantly transitioned on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Grand Strand Medical Center, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

Ernestine was educated in the public schools of Marion County, where she graduated from Rains Centenary High School, Class of 1974. In 1975, Ernestine enlisted in the United States Army, where she received an Honorable Discharge in 1980. Ernestine joined in Holy Matrimony with Jackie Robinson McCollough on January 21, 1978, and two children were born to this union. 

Preparing for this day, at an early age, Ernestine accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She became a member of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, Marion, South Carolina. In covenant with her husband, Ernestine began to grow in grace. Through affliction with various ministries as they traveled due to military mandates, Ernestine became a member of St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, Lawton, Oklahoma. She served on the Mass Choir and the Feeding Ministry. In 1993, returning home to South Carolina, Ernestine became a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church (Bayboro Community), Loris, South Carolina, continuing to serve faithfully. 

In 1997, upon the pastoral election of her husband, Ernestine began serving at McNeil Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Longs, South Carolina. She was called into the Gospel Ministry and licensed in November 2000. Continuing to serve alongside her husband and upon his second pastoral election in 2015, Ernestine began serving at First Missionary Baptist Church of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. November 2021, Ernestine became a disciple of then The LIFE Center Ministries, Tabor City, North Carolina, under the servant leadership of Bishop Antoine & Pastor JaShawna Bellamy (her son-in-love and daughter). She took pleasure in undergirding and supporting the work of ministry. Upon the merging of The LIFE Center Ministries and St. Stephen Church in 2023, it was Ernestine’s moral delight in being recognized as “Mother E.” 

Ernestine was employed with Horry County Schools as a long term substitute teacher and Security Officer. She also was employed with Security Services at Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina, where she retired in 2012. Ernestine was preceded in death by siblings, James Edward Roberts, John Roberts, Winford Roberts, Vernell Siegel and Rose Jackson; in-laws, Caleb McCollough, Lucille Thomas McCollough, Henry Thomas, Kenneth Thomas, Mary Brown, and Caleb McCollough, Jr. 

Ernestine leaves to cherish her loving memories, her husband of forty-seven years, Elder Jackie R. McCollough of the home; her son, Robert A. (LaCora) McCollough of Atlanta, GA; her daughter, Pastor JaShawna T. (Bishop Antoine) Bellamy of Whiteville, NC; grandchildren, Minister Antoine Bellamy, Jr., Ro’Nesha McCollough, Jastin Bellamy, Destiny Day, Mariah Spain, and Jammel Warren; four sisters, Bernice Powell and Earlean Williams of Conway, SC, Gerlean Kelly of Dillon, SC, and Joyce Hamlin of Florence, SC; a sister-in-law, Marian Carmichael of Lumberton, NC; a brother-in-law, Charles (Evelyn) McCollough of Bennettsville, SC; a godson, Kentrel Grate of Longs, SC; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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