Obituary

DOVE, Barbara Thomas, joined her beloved husband Richard on her 89^th birthday, November 7, 2024.  The daughter of Idella Hornsby Thomas and JC “Red” Thomas, she was born in Brunswick County, Virginia, on November 7, 1935. Barbara attended Johnston Willis School of Nursing (Richmond, VA), where legend has it, a group of nursing students was being picked up for a frat party at Randolph Macon College, when the driver insisted she sit in the front seat next to him, and declared he was going to marry her one day. That day came on August 4, 1956, when she married the love of her life, Richard Sydney Dove. Barbara and Richard embarked on a 58-year love affair, raising four children: Deborah Dove Segebart (Cole), Robert Thomas Dove (Lara), Richard Wayne Dove (Amanda), and Kimberly Kingree Dove.

Nursing was Barbara’s calling, and she had a long and fulfilling career. After marrying Richard, she worked at Johnston Willis Hospital, then at Dover General Hospital in Dover, NJ. As a school nurse in Grandview, MO, a previously soft-spoken Barbara found her voice as president of the Grandview Council of PTAs, and served as a Red Cross volunteer and a nursing consultant for Arkhaven Nursing Home. In Baton Rouge, LA, she provided home care for families in underserved areas. Returning to Virginia, Barbara taught LPN classes at the Richmond Technical Center, then served as a director at Continuing Care Home Health Services in Harrisonburg, VA, providing in-home and hospice care throughout the Shenandoah Valley. After retiring to Chesterfield, VA, she continued providing hospice support to families, and formed the Congregational Care Committee at Brandermill Church. Even as her health declined, she was beloved by her nurses and caregivers, becoming “Mama Dove” to those closest to her.

Barbara and Richard were avid golfers, the more competitive the better for Barbara, and she remained an avid tv spectator of the game in her later years.

Barbara is survived by her 4 children, 12 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one sister (Judy), and many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband (Richard), sister (Nancy), brother (Johnny), and 2 brothers-in-law (Richard and Michael Wayne).

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to her care companion Erica, her nursing team at the Crossroads at Bon Air, and ACG Hospice.

Family will receive friends at Morrisette Funeral Home, 6500 Ironbridge Rd., N. Chesterfield, VA 23234, on Sunday, November 17th at 1pm, with a service to follow at 2pm, where the Central Virginia Nurses Honor Guard will be in attendance. A graveside burial will follow on Monday, November 18, at 12pm, at Zirkle Cemetery in New Market, VA. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local hospice care organization or food pantry.