Mrs. Andrea Alexander McCallum

It is with great sadness that we announce that Andrea Elizabeth Alexander McCallum, wife, mother, daughter, educator, and friend, passed away on May 13th, 2025 at the age of 51 after a lengthy and courageous battle with lung cancer. Andrea was born in Ahoskie, North Carolina on May 11, 1974 to Hugh and Jane Alexander. She spent her earliest years growing up in eastern North Carolina in Belhaven on the Pamlico Sound, and some of her earliest memories were of the flora and fauna of that region. She and younger brother Quincy were inseparable, and though he was two years her junior, they were often mistaken for twins. Before long, the Alexanders moved to north central Florida. Andrea spent her childhood years divided between spending the school year in Cedar Key and subsequently Chiefland, Florida, and her summers in Montreat, North Carolina, and was beloved in both areas. In Cedar Key and Chiefland, she developed a love for marine science, live oaks, and blackwater rivers. She was an enthusiastic member of Christ Episcopal Church and seriously contemplated entering into the ministry. She graduated from Chiefland High School as Head Cheerleader, Homecoming Queen, and Salutatorian, and though her academic and scholastic accolades were too many to count, it was the lifelong friendships she made in Florida that she truly cherished. She elected to pursue a degree from the University of Florida in Communication Sciences and Disorders, graduating with honors. At this same time, Andrea was forming a deep bond with the mountains, creeks, trails, and most importantly the people of western North Carolina. She spent every summer in Montreat, North Carolina, and it remained her favorite place in the world all her life. Andrea grew up in the clubs program and during her college years spent several years on Summer Staff for the Mountain Retreat Association. It was guiding her 3rd- and 4th-grade charges at this Presbyterian Camp that helped her realize her gift for working with children – a constant theme in her life She also met her husband, James McCallum, himself a lifelong Montreater, while on summer staff. For Andrea, Montreat meant family, whether it was the large Alexander gatherings at her grandparents’ aptly named “Barn Loft,” or with the friends who became just as close as genetic relations. Andrea and James married in 1997 and moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where Andrea obtained a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of South Carolina. She subsequently began a nearly 30-year career as a Speech Pathologist in Richland County School District Two, working at the Elementary, Middle School and High School levels. Her technical skills, clinical acumen, and, most importantly, her kind and loving nature influenced the lives of innumerable Richland Two students, and it was not uncommon for Andrea to be chased down in a parking lot or the grocery store by one of her former students who wanted a hug, which she always considered very high praise. It was also during this time when Andrea and James welcomed what Andrea considered to be her greatest accomplishments to the world – daughters Jane and Elizabeth (Lizzie) McCallum. As professionally accomplished as she was, Andrea considered her most important and best title to be “Mom” and she excelled here. Jane and Lizzie grew up with a mother who instilled in them her love of the mountains and Montreat in particular. She ensured that the girls were able to experience the hiking, rock hopping, and faith formation that were so important to her. She set a fantastic example of being a “runner” mom – to the extent that both girls thought that as a mom, part of your job was to just run marathons. That’s what moms do. Some of her fondest memories were of reuniting with the girls at the finish line. Andrea was a prime example of a “Woman in STEM” and through her encouragement, both girls developed a love for science and problem solving. She was also the mom who was always willing to pitch in for school events or extracurricular activities. No job was too small or too large if she thought it was going to be good for her girls. Andrea naturally and easily became the mother to whom all of Jane’s and Lizzie’s friends gravitated. She became a mentor, friend, and confidant to countless young men and women who because of her came to think of themselves as “Basically McCallum Children.” You all know who you are, and you know that she loved you very much. Though she touched lives in every place she entered, she felt her position as an advisor for the Spring Valley Presbyterian Church Youth Group was particularly important. It was a role which she continued long after Jane and Lizzie had left for college. Whether at Montreat Youth Conference, a fall retreat, or a random Wednesday morning prayer group, Andrea provided a shining light to everyone she met. Andrea was a flawless wife to James, perfect mother to Jane and Lizzie, model daughter to Jane and Hugh, loving daughter-in-law to Righton and Brown McCallum, and caring (if maybe a little annoying in that way that great big sisters are) sibling to brother Quincy and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Garnett and Sarah McCallum. “Aunt A” loved nephews Quin Alexander and John McCallum and niece Izzy McCallum tremendously. She was a favorite niece, cousin, and cousin-in-law. Though Andrea influenced too many institutions to list, she was particularly honored to have served Richland Two, Spring Valley Presbyterian Church, and Montreat Presbyterian Conference Center. She was a Speech Pathologist professionally, but also a School Improvement Council Chair for the Center for Inquiry, PTO President of Dent Middle School, Volunteer Coordinator for 2A/4A at Spring Valley High School, and the best part of the day for too many students to count. She was an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Belize Missionary and Youth Advisor at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church. She was a clubee, a summer staff member, an adult conferee, and a small group leader in Montreat, and truly considered it to be her “thin place.” She was a Marauder, an Honorary Ridgewoodian, a “prayer grouper,” and “Duck Camper.” She is irreplaceable in all of our lives, but all who met her would agree that their lives were the better because of her. The service for Mrs. McCallum will be held at 2 o'clock, Sunday, June 8th, at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church. A reception will follow the service at the church. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial be given to Spring Valley Presbyterian Church’s Debt Free Campaign. Contributions may be given at svpc.org or mailed to the church at 125 Sparkleberry Ln, Columbia, SC 29229.

Tributes

Mrs. Andrea Alexander McCallum

May 11, 1974 - May 13, 2025