Doris Elgin

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Doris Alene Elgin, 87, of Joplin, MO., went to be with the Lord on March 17th 2017 following a short illness. 

Doris Elgin was born on March 18, 1929 in Corinth, Mississippi to William R. and Kansas Taylor. She graduated from Farmington High School where she played basketball and excelled in academics. 

She graduated from Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in 1949. She was named Miss B.M.H. by the student body and was the business manager for the first publication of the Fenestra. 

She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and from Memphis State University in 1976 with a Master of Arts in education. She graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 1976 with a Master of Science in Nursing with a major in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. 

She worked at Baptist Hospital in Memphis from 1949 until 1951 when she moved to Denver, Colorado where she worked at Denver General Hospital. She married Wayne C. (Chuck) Elgin in Denver on September 21, 1951. They moved to Richmond, Virginia where she worked at the Medical College of Virginia Hospital while her husband was stationed at the Virginia Military District and during his tour of duty in Korea. 

After their return to Memphis, she worked as a head nurse on the neurosurgery unit at Baptist Memorial Hospital and as an instructor in the School of Nursing until 1967 when they moved to Joplin where her husband operated Elgin Pharmacy. 

She was an Associate Professor in the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Missouri Southern State College for 25 years, retiring in 1995. In 1987, she was named the “Outstanding Teacher of a Freshman Class.” She served on the faculty senate, the long-range planning committee, and many other committees. She enjoyed her colleagues during her tenure and was very proud of the achievements of the graduates. She and her husband supported the college through donations and as longtime Lionbackers. 

Doris was a past member of the 5th District Nurses’ Association, Missouri State Nurses’ Association, and the American Nurses’ Association. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau as well as the Nursing Honor Society at Missouri Southern. She belonged to the alumni associations of the universities from which she graduated. She was a member of Chapter FI of P.E.O. where she worked with her good friend, Nancy Messick, on the courtesy committee sending cards to members on birthdays and other special occasions. 

Doris was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Tri M Class as well as a member of the church library staff. She was a member of the ETC circle serving as treasurer and was part of the wedding reception committee. She served as treasurer and chairperson of the executive committee for women in mission for several years. The women in mission started the silent auction in the fall as a fundraiser for missions. She initiated the archive collection. 

She enjoyed quilting and quilted with a group at church for several years. She also visited members who were ill or unable to come to church. She and Chuck enjoyed traveling and went with travel groups on trips in the U.S. as well as abroad. They visited Europe, China, Australia, and other countries. 

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Everett and Harry Taylor and her sisters, Lottie King, Myrtle King, and Gertrude Strickland. 

She is survived by her husband, Wayne C. (Chuck) Elgin, a son and his wife, Steve and Sharon Elgin; a daughter and her husband, Patricia and Mark Morgan. She leaves grandchildren Krystal Frossard and her husband Justin, Amber Morgan and fiancé Austin Ball, Stephanie, Stephen, and Christopher Elgin. She is survived by a sister-in-law and her husband, Phyllis and Charles Nearn as well as nieces and nephews whom she loved. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church. Reverend Roger Nichols and Reverend Bob Howard will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Monday at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to Missouri Southern State University Foundation- Nursing Scholarship Fund, First United Methodist Church, or to an organization of your choice.