 Her contributions included the establishment of the Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers of Houston Grand Opera, patronage for Orbis International, and, together with her second husband, an important role in the development of Baylor College of Medicine.She was born in Plymouth, Ohio, to Bertha Fenner Searle and Dr. George James Searle.Her vocal and performing skills led to enrollment in Florida Southern College where she focused on theatrical and voice skills.