Bessie “Bess” McCollum Tway was born in Commerce, Texas on May 12, 1920, to Dudley Foster McCollum and Bessie Huie McCollum.
She attended Friend’s Seminary High School in New York City; Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri; and the University of Georgia.
She Married Duane Converse Tway on July 18, 1942.
After a 27 year Air Force career, Bess and Duane moved to Troy in 1970, where Duane chaired the History Department at Troy University. During her 38 years in Troy, Bess attended the First United Methodist Church where she was active in Sunday School and Circle. She was a member and officer of Troy Woman’s Club and Modern Study Club, and enjoyed an informal Birthday Group.
Bess died December 1, 2008, in Alexandria, Va., of complications from sepsis.
She was predeceased by her husband, her parents; her brother, Elmer; and sister, Geraldine. She is survived by her three children Duane (Conni) Tway, Jr. (Tampa, FL), Diane (Terry) Severson (Fairfax, VA), and Scot (Nancy) Tway (Auburn, AL); and six grandchildren MAJ Marshall (Julie) Tway (Ft. Leavenworth, KS), Kelly Tway (Dallas, TX), Carl (Danielle) Severson (Monroe, NJ), Eric Severson (Morganville, NJ), Hope Tway (New Orleans, LA) and Sarah Tway (Auburn University); and also by great-grandsons Griffin and Liam Severson (both Monroe, NJ).
Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 7, 2008, at 2:00 pm from the First United Methodist Church in Troy with Dr. John Brannon officiating. Interment will follow in Green Hills Cemetery with Dillard Funeral Home of Troy directing. Mrs. Tway will lie-in-state at the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 6, 2008, from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Dillard Funeral Home in Troy
Pallbearers will be Dr. Duane Tway, Jr., Scot Tway, MAJ. Marshall Tway, Terry Severson, Carl Severson, Eric Severson, Dr. Jack Jones and Eric Westberg.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Adelene Williams, Nell St. John Haigh, Willetta Hatcher, Ann Kelly Williams, Sarah Lee Dunbar and Mary Lynn Long.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, the Troy Library or the Pike County Humane Society.