Barbara Box

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Dr. Barbara Jean Box, 81, entered eternal life surrounded by her family, after a sudden illness, on Christmas Day 2018 at Cox Medical Center Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Box was born to the late Joseph and Violet Grden on December 19, 1937, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and was raised with her younger brother, Robert. She married the late Dr. Thomas M. Box on November, 25, 1961, and gave birth to three children, Anne, Valerie and Thomas II.

After graduating from Mount Mercy College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Barbara began her nursing career. In addition to her bachelor’s degree, Barbara was awarded advanced degrees from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. After serving as the Director of Nursing at Tulsa Junior College, Dr. Box enjoyed a 20-year career as the Director of Nursing at Missouri Southern State University. Barbara was instrumental in transitioning the nursing program from an associate’s level into an accredited baccalaureate level program. Additionally, she held various positions with the National League of Nursing. Through the NLN, Dr. Box assisted nursing programs throughout the country and around the world.

Dr. Box was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, an active member of the community, worked with the Arthritis Association and lead bi-weekly exercise classes at the Carl Junction Senior Center.

She is survived by her children, Anne, Valerie, and Thomas and his wife, Hollie; grandchildren, Dominic, Kilty, Thomas III and Howdie; and her brother, Robert Grden, and his wife, Betsy.

We would like to extend our heartfelt and sincere appreciation to the staff at Freeman Hospital and Cox South for their compassion and kindness during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 29, 2018, at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, Joplin, followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.