Obituary of Barbara Ann McCandless McColm

Barbara Ann McCandless McColm passed away on April 15, 2023 at the age of 92.

Born in San Gabriel, CA, she was the daughter of Harry Lafayette McCandless and Lois Christopher McCandless both originally from Merkel, TX.  Shortly after her birth the family moved to Plainview, TX where she graduated from high school. She attended Colorado Women’s College then transferred to TCU where she received a degree in elementary education. While at TCU she met her true love and best friend, John McColm. They were married on the day of her graduation. Soon thereafter she accompanied John during his army career to Pine Bluff, AR; Indian Gap, PA; Lawton, OK; and Colorado Springs, CO. While John was stationed in Japan and Korea she moved to Amarillo, TX to be with family for the birth of their first son, Michal. After returning from Korea, John and Barbara moved back to Fort Worth in 1954 and soon welcomed their second son, Kelly.

In 1965 the family moved to Danville, IL where they made many, many lifelong friends. They returned to Fort Worth in 1971. In 1975 they moved to Houston, in 1976 to Columbus, IN, then to Temple, TX, then on to Odessa, TX, always making good friends along the way. Finally, in 1983 they moved back to Fort Worth permanently whereupon Barbara embarked on a successful real estate career spanning twenty years spent mostly with Brant’s Realtors.

She is preceded in death by John, her husband of 61 years (2012); sister Mona Tull Ball of Fort Worth (2019); and late in life, loving companion Jack Mason of Danville (2020).

Barbara was a fun loving and generous friend to so many people, a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a 52 year member of All Saints Episcopal Church which is losing a faithful servant. With a lifetime of moving around the country her motto was always “Bloom where you are planted!” and she did just that with beauty, dignity, humor, and grace. 

She is survived by her sons Michal McColm and Kelly McColm and wife, Eunice; granddaughters Kelly Ann McCarthy and husband Dan, Erin Biscoe and husband John, Sylvia McColm and fiancé Ryan Wheat; grandson John McColm and wife Macon; great grand-daughters Ruby and Poppy and great grand-sons Wyatt, Beau, and John Howard; and forever daughters-in-law Barbara H. McColm and Annette Williamson. The family would like to send a special thanks to her good friend and caregiver Becky De Leon.

Services to be held in the chapel at All Saints School, 9700 Saints Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76108 on Thursday April 20 at 4:30 pm.

Please make any donations to All Saints Episcopal Church, 4936 Dexter Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107 or to the charity of your choice.