Barbara Selph

(From Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home)

Barbara Jean (Crandall) Hashagen Selph, 81, passed away Thursday, October 26th, 2023.

Graveside Service: 1pm, at Hazelwood Cemetery, 1642 Seminole St. Springfield, Mo. 65804.

Barbara was born September 18,1942 in Neosho, Missouri to Ralph and Daisy Crandall. She graduated from Neosho High School and then attended Southwest Missouri State (SMS) University in Springfield, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Barbara was a kindergarten and elementary school teacher for the Neosho and Springfield school systems for several years before earning her certification in Learning Disabilities. After that, she worked with the Special Learning Needs program for the Fair Play School District. Barbara was a lifelong learner and returned to SMSU to earn a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling when she was in her 50’s. During that time, she worked with Transitions, a suicide intervention program within Burrell Behavioral Health.

Through her love of education, Barbara became very involved in the PTA. She was President of the Springfield/Greene County PTA for two years and was the Chairman of Juvenile Services for the State of Missouri PTA. One of her key accomplishments as a state PTA chairman was her involvement in the McGruff the Crime Dog campaign, which she introduced into the Springfield School system to promote crime prevention and safety among Springfield’s elementary population. She was a fierce defendant of children’s safety and wellbeing, which she continued to champion by partnering with a local action group to promote decency in radio – targeting “shock-jocks” and indecent content on child-accessible radio.

Barbara was also a member of many women’s clubs throughout her life and often found herself in a leadership role – largely due to her expertise in the practice of parliamentary procedure. She passionately studied Roberts Rules of Order and was very fluent in its’ practices. She was also a life-long supporter of the arts and was a member of the Southwest Missouri Museum Association for many years. She loved the theater and supported Springfield’s Little theatre – not only as a loyal season ticket patron, but she also helped build sets for their productions as well!

Barbara’s love of learning also extended to her family, and she spent several years tracing her family tree and visiting ancestral homes and family cemeteries. Her investigation uncovered family ties all the way back to Colonial America, which qualified her and her daughters to become members of the Daughters of the Revolution (DAR).

 

Barbara greatly enjoyed travelling - whether it was a simple road trip down to Eureka Springs or a long journey to another continent. With her children in tow, she always managed to weave education into any journey by visiting the local historic sites and learning about the people. She managed to instill that wanderlust into her daughters, who are passionate travelers themselves. Up to her final days, Barbara was still dreaming of hitting the road and was planning a trip to Maui.

Barbara had a special place in her heart for animals. She had many of her own pets over the years and donated consistently to multiple animal organizations and causes. Her kindness even extended to the unusual pets her grandson maintained at her home, including lizards, guinea pigs, rabbits, and an occasional snake!

Her other favorite pastimes included meeting monthly with her beloved Bridge group, reading, dining-out, shopping, and spending time with her beloved grandson, Cody.

 

Barbara was a fiercely loyal friend, mother, and grandmother. She appeared serious to strangers, but her friends and family were well-aware of her playful and mischievous side. Her sweet smile and sparkling blue eyes will remain in our hearts forever.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Daisy Crandall and son, Ryan Hashagen.

Survivors: Daughters Kelly Hashagen and wife Lyn Westfall, and Tracy Hashagen Minkara and husband Abe; Grandson Cody Hashagen and wife Mariah; beloved dog, Barbie; and numerous cousins, extended family, and friends.