Barbara Peoples Obituary

Barbara Sue Peoples (née Doza), age 73 years, 11 months, and 6 days, passed away peacefully at her home in Syracuse, Missouri, on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

Barbara was born August 1, 1951, in Bonne Terre, Missouri, to Frederick M. Doza and Alberta Marie Dyle (later Burgan). She married the love of her life, William “Billy” Peoples, on August 26, 1972, in Colorado. She graduated from nursing school in Hays, Kansas, and devoted many years to caring for others.

After living in Colorado, Barbara and Billy made their home in Missouri near his family. Together, they raised three children: Miranda, Christina, and Michael. Barbara worked as a nurse for 20 years while raising their family. She later managed Casey’s General Store in Tipton, MO, for another 20 years, and eventually worked as a cook at the Hometown Café in Syracuse. For a short time, she even pursued baking cakes before retiring fully to enjoy her home life.

In retirement, Barbara found joy camping in Warsaw, MO, with Billy and their friends. She cherished every moment spent with her family. She had a deep love for family history, reading books, watching mystery and Disney movies, and canning. A proud member of the Nathan Edison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Barbara valued tradition and heritage.

Barbara was known for her famous peach cobbler and peanut brittle, and even more so for her unwavering sense of integrity. She had a firm yet loving nature, a stickler for rules and lists—a trait that earned her the affectionate nickname “SARGE.” While she held others to high standards, it was always with a heart full of love.

Barbara was deeply devoted to her family and missed her husband tremendously after his passing on January 21, 2021. We take comfort in knowing they are now reunited.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; stepmother, Pauline “Polly” Doza; stepfather, Joseph “Red” Burgan; brothers Frederick Leroy Doza, Francis Eugene Doza, Russell Andrew Doza, and David “Neal” Burgan; sister Cheryl (Burgan) Schmitt; sisters-in-law Joyce Burgan and Virginia “Jenny” (Peoples) Hibdon; brother-in-law James Schmitt; and grandson James David Peoples.

She is survived by her children: Miranda Peoples of the home; Christina (Tony) Peoples Gutierrez of Syracuse, MO; and Michael (Elizabeth) Peoples of Columbia, MO. She also leaves behind five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Barbara is lovingly remembered by her sisters Charlotte (Robert) Doza Lee of Clay Center, KS, and Linda (Rick) Burgan Boyer of Sulphur Springs, MO; her brothers Joe (Angel) Burgan of Pevely, MO, and John Burgan of Sulphur Springs, MO; sisters-in-law Teresa Doza of Lebanon, MO, Belinda O’Brien of Tipton, MO, and Dixie (Albert) Reigel of Jefferson City, MO; brothers-in-law Mitch Peoples and Carl Hibdon of Tipton, MO, Bonnie Bryant of Junction City, KS and Larry Larson (Gina) of Randolph, KS; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Graveside Burial: A small graveside service will be held on 19 July 2025 at 10:00am for family and friends at Olive Branch Cemetery, Syracuse, MO.

Memorial Contributions: Olive Branch Cemetery or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Celebration of life: Family and friends will gather at her home in Syracuse after the graveside burial.