Ella Mae McCollom, 79, formerly of El Dorado Springs, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at Cedar Ridge Healthcare, Lebanon, IL. She was born Aug. 21, 1930, in Montevallo, Vernon County, the daughter of Jasper Washington McCollom and Annie Fay West (Hamby).
Ella received her education at Greenridge Rural School; El Dorado Springs High School, graduating in 1947; class work at Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar; and a BS degree and then a Masters degree from Central Missouri State College, Warrensburg, in 1970.
She taught at a number of schools: Badger, Independence, Jerico Springs, El Dorado Springs, Prairie Village, KS, and then was employed by the Kansas City Board of Education. She retired from there to help care for her mother and later her stepfather, Clifton Hamby.
Ella was a member of the Montevallo Baptist Church.
Her professional affiliations were: American Personnel and Guidance Association, Missouri Guidance Association, National Education Association, Kansas City Education Association and Missouri State Teachers Association. She was a Life Member of the Central Missouri State College Alumni.
Survivors include: one brother, Wayne (Marie) McCollom - O’Fallon, IL; two nephews, Kevin McCollom - Oklahoma City, OK, and Kyle (Christy) McCollom - St. Louis; six great nieces and great nephews: Nina McCollom, Kyle McCollom Jr., Theresa McCollom, Anna McCollom, Connie McCollom and Austin McCollom.
A visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs. Graveside services will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Virgil City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.
