Betty "B.B." Mccollom

McCollom, Betty Blair Clarkson – “BB” – of Kettering, age 101, passed away February 7, 2022.

Betty Blair Clarkson was born to John L. and Ethel Clarkson of Nashville, IL on December 12, 1920. She was a graduate of Northwestern University where she was president of Pi Beta Phi. During World War II, she met her first husband, Wilbur Deuser. They were married in 1945 and settled in Oakwood to raise their four children, Charlie, Jim, Bob and Jane. Her house was always full of neighborhood children, and she delighted in being a schoolroom mother, carpool driver and PTA member.

BB worked for 18 years in the executive offices of NCR and indulged her love of golf as a member of NCR Country Club. In 1970, she married John S. ‘Mac’ McCollom with whom she enjoyed a wonderful partnership until Mac passed in 2001. With their shared love of travel, BB and Mac journeyed the world together. After they both retired, they escaped Ohio winters in Delray Beach, FL.

With her eclectic outlook and endless energy, BB filled her life with a broad array of activities. She never missed watching a British Open or Masters Golf tournament. She traced every descendent of her ancestor, Thomas Blair, who arrived in the US before the Revolutionary War. She cherished the community at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oakwood, joining Altar Guild, Stephen Ministry, the ‘Old Biddies’ and working in the office once a week. Family, friends and neighbors loved being invited to social hours on her beloved screened porch.

She was a very proud grandmother and great-grandmother, always ready for a game of wiffle ball, dress-ups or to make another batch of snickerdoodles.

BB is survived by her children, Charlie, Jim and Jane, her daughters-in-law, Jill, Debbie and Jacque, her grandchildren, Chopper and Sarah, Courtney and Mike, Lauren, Robbie and Emily, Curtis and Alison and her great-grandchildren, Evelyn Blair, Will, Jude Birdie and Maris Blair. Her son, Bob, passed away in 2019.

She lived at Bethany Village and Carlyle House for her last 5 years. You don’t reach 101 without the love and care of many people. Her family would like to thank all the exceptional caregivers who showed such kindness and devotion to her and kept her connected to the world she loved so much.

Her family would also like to thank BB for guiding them through her wonderful example. We have been truly blessed to have had her in in our lives for as long as we did.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Outreach Fund at St Paul’s Episcopal Church or the Aullwood Audubon Center.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held 3PM on Saturday, June 25 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 33 W. Dixon Ave., Dayton. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.routsong.com.