Emily Gail McCollum Starrett passed away at the age of 84 on Monday, August 4, 2025, at Brown Health & Rehabilitation.

Gail was born on September 20, 1940, in Franklin County, Georgia, to the late Roscoe and Edna Ruth Cann McCollum. She spent several years working at Coats and Clark before dedicating the majority of her professional life to Lavonia Foods, where she became a cherished presence as a cashier. Gail was a member of the Lavonia United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Joy Starrett, and her great-grandson, Jameson McGill.

Gail is survived by her sons, Rodney (Melanie) Starrett, Russell Starrett, and Randy (Beth) Starrett; her grandchildren, Ashley (Eric) Carroll, Brad (Sallie) Starrett, Brittany (Marcus) McGill, Josh (Michelle) Starrett, and Jessica (Ethan) Barrett; step-grandchildren Jimmy (La'el) Woody and Jessica (Matthew) Tice; and eleven great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the funeral home chapel, officiated by Rev. Courtney Umbehant. Burial will follow at the Lavonia City – Burgess Cemetery, with Rev. Marcus McGill presiding over the graveside service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Arrangements are being handled by Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest register at https://stricklandfh.com.