Robert McCollum

OWENSBORO, Ky. -- Robert Scott McCollum, 70, of Owensboro passed away Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at Owensboro Medical Health System.

He was born July 7, 1942, in Steele, Mo. Bob worked when he was a child picking cotton with his mother.

Bob attended the Baptist Church across the street from his home. He was a good student, and received several scholarships. Later he finished his degree by working at times three jobs and eventually earned a master's degree in art. In answer to a prayer, Bob relocated to Owensboro, where he was to wed his wife, Bettye, on Sept. 6, 2003.

He was an artist, art teacher and art historian. He held a bachelor's degree in art education and a master's degree in studio art from Southeast Missouri State University. A native of Southeast Missouri, Bob was a high school art and humanities teacher 36 years, retiring from the public school system of Charleston, Mo.

Since coming to Owensboro in 2001, he taught oil painting at Kentucky Wesleyan College and art history at Owensboro Community and Technical College. He has lived and exhibited his art in the Mississippi and Ohio River Valley states most of his life. His works in watercolor, oils and India ink reflected his interpretation of the real world, both past and present. He was a member of Lewis Lane Baptist Church.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John Lihugh and Ora Gaynell Crews McCollum; three brothers, Marvin Euell, John Arlin and Howard Clayton McCollum; and a special niece, Jill Acre.

Survivors include his wife, Bettye Reynolds McCollum; a son, Kenneth Scott McCollum of Sikeston, Mo.; three stepsons, Todd Reynolds (Debbie), Brad Reynolds (Ronda) and Bryan Reynolds, all of Owensboro; seven stepgrandchildren, Joshua, Adam, Zackary, Brooklyn and Allison Reynolds, Jeffrey Bowersox (Ruth) and Dave Bowersox (Sandy); six great-stepgrandchildren; a brother, Bill Crews McCollum (Mary Frances) of Colorado; a sister, Nona Frances McCollum Johnson (Sam) of Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. today and after 10 a.m. Wednesday at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in Owensboro.

The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Owensboro.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Lewis Lane Baptist Church, Student Missions, 2600 Lewis Lane, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Online messages of condolence may be made at www.davisfuneralhome.com.