Barbara Jo McCown, 76, of Syracuse, MO, passed away Thursday, November 26, 2015, at her home.

She was born October 13, 1939, to Andrew and Bernice Musslin. She was baptized at St. Andrew's Church in Tipton. She attended and graduated from Syracuse School.

She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Wally McCown, Jr. Barbara and Wally were united in marriage on October 31, 1992, at Sacred Heart Church in Sedalia, with Father Bill Miller officiating. Barbara wanted to be married in the fall of the year, her favorite season.

Barbara was a "country girl" through and through. She enjoyed hunting in the fall, fishing, gardening, and canning in the summer, and riding her four-wheeler anytime on the farm.

Barbara was a horsewoman too, although she never owned a stable of prize winning horses. She did, however, own a large collection of prize winning paintings that she had painted. Barbara was a self-taught watercolor artist, having won over twenty times in three decades. Her most recent win came at the Palm Sunday Art Show in Osage Beach this spring. As for subject matter, Barbara was multi-talented. Her last paintings were mostly of Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh.

In the past few years, she had acquired a love of thoroughbred horse racing. Barbara and Wally had recently attended the racing at Prairie Meadows Racepark in Des Moines, IA, with two of their friends.

Besides her employment at Bothwell Regional Hospital, Barbara also worked at Stride Rite Shoes for 21 years, Nordine Industries, and Four Seasons Home Health Care. Her home health clients were blessed with her gentle and genuine care and concern.

Barbara is also survived by three sisters: Dorothy Musslin, of Syracuse, and Gertrude Hunt (John), and Martha Schmidt, of Sedalia; and two brothers, Paul (Barbara) and Dwain (Barbara), also of Sedalia. Survivors also include many nieces and nephews and great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred, of Syracuse, and David, of Independence; and a sister, Jean Ransdell, of Otterville.
Funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 1, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Fred Elskamp officiating.
Interment will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the church, with a Rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, Barbara requested donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Jefferson City.

The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at Bothwell Regional Hospital who helped Barbara thru her cancer, having survived five years.
The family invites you to return to the church after burial for a meal.

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