Mrs. Barbara Wischan Moxon

Barbara Wischan Moxon, wife of Dr. Robert K. Moxon, died on October 7, 2011, at the age of 90 of Parkinsonism. A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Bull and Blanding Streets, with visitation in the St. Paul's Lutheran Good Shepherd Room immediately following the service. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Barbara was born in Philadelphia, PA on May 2, 1921, the only child of Helen and Ernst Wischan. She attended the University of Pennsylvania on a full four-year scholarship, earning a B.A. in 1942 and a M.S. in 1943. At the University she was president of the Women's Student Government Association and elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society and Mortar Board Honor Society. She was a family social worker for four years prior to moving with her family for 20 years with her Navy husband. They moved to Columbia in 1963 where she became a significant leader in religious, social and governmental life of South Carolina. She used her skills, enthusiasms and deep faith to serve others rather than be served. As a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, her family was her greatest delight and she was greatly beloved by all of them. She became a professional volunteer and activist and dedicated her time and energy to affecting change for the betterment of South Carolina's women and children. She was a natural but humble leader who was also a great encourager. Her tenacity and perseverance for the causes she believed in are an inspiration. Barbara served in leadership positions in the League of Women Voters, the American Association of University Women, Killingsworth Home for Women in Crisis, Planned Parenthood Health Systems, Advocates for Comprehensive Health Education, Common Cause SC, SC Christian Action Council, ERA South Carolina, SC Advocates for Women on Boards and Commissions as well as Chair of the SC Commission on Women. In 1990 she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Newberry College. As a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church she was a long time choir member, president of Women of the ELCA, on the Evangelism and Worship and Music Committees as well as a Sunday school teacher. She was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Jim Hodges in 1999 and received numerous awards for her outstanding services and achievements from many organizations. The League of Women Voters and Planned Parenthood both give the Barbara W. Moxon Advocacy Award to deserving recipients. She was one of 25 women featured in a national traveling exhibit "Women in Action: Rebels and Reformers" by the League of Women Voters, 1995-96. In addition to her husband of 67 years, Bob Moxon, she is survived by a son, Pete Moxon (Mary Ann) of Williamsburg, VA; a daughter, Laurel Suggs (Arthur) of Columbia. She was predeceased by a son, Christopher Moxon in 2003. Grandchildren are Hunter Suggs (Amanda), Julie Moxon Tyler (Rob), Caroline Suggs Milliken (Walks), and David Moxon. Great-grandchildren are Hannah Suggs, William Milliken, Brody Tyler and Mae Walker Milliken. She and Bob became residents of the Laurel Crest Retirement Community in 2000 where they shared many happy years. The family gratefully acknowledges the exceptional loving care by the staff at Laurel Crest. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull Street, Columbia 29201 and/or Planned Parenthood Health Systems, 2712 Middleburg Drive, Columbia 29204.