Doris Surbrugg

 

(From Parker Mortuary)

Doris Kay (Jones) Surbrugg, age 81, Joplin, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at her home after a long decline in health.

Doris was born August 28, 1942, at the Dade County Memorial Hospital in Lockwood, MO. She was the daughter of the late Lloyd and Lorraine (Riddle) Jones. 

Doris attended a one-room schoolhouse at Unity School through the 8th grade. She graduated from Golden City High School in 1960 and then earned her Bachelor’s Degree as a Registered Nurse from Drury University in Springfield, MO in 1964. 

In 1967, while on vacation in Europe, she traveled to India to visit Mike Surbrugg, whom she knew from home. Mike, who was stationed in Burma, serving in the military, proposed to Doris, and they were married the next day. 

Following Mike’s military service, he and Doris returned to the States and resided in Joplin, MO. Doris worked as an RN at St John’s Hospital, Freeman Hospital, and Oak Hill Hospital in Joplin. Doris finished her professional career after working for many years as a cardiac nurse for Dr. Robert Stauffer at the Freeman Heart Institute, retiring in 2006. 

In addition, Doris was a talented seamstress who enjoyed crafting and sewing with her dear friend and business partner, Roberta Webster. Doris also loved to travel. She and Mike traveled to many places over the years with her favorite states to visit being Utah, South Dakota, South Carolina, Alaska, and Hawaii. Doris’ favorite thing to do was to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was so very proud of her family and her grandchildren. Doris was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and enjoyed being part of the Lamplighter’s group. For many years she sang in the choir and was a featured soloist in holiday cantatas.

In addition to her parents, Doris was preceded in death by her sister, Helen Jones.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Michael Surbrugg; daughter, Carolyn Chapman, husband Matthew, and children Anna, Mallory, and Bennett of Liberty, MO; son, Kenneth Surbrugg, wife Heather, and children Abigail and Ian of Joplin; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 23, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with Pastor Britton Fields officiating. Interment will follow to the Dudenville Cemetery, seven miles south of Golden City, MO.

The family will receive friends at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Thursday, February 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.