Patty Williams

Patty Lou Williams departed this world and entered the gates of Heaven Dec. 6, 2020, with one of the friendliest, prettiest smiles that God ever created. Just as her departure from this life was witnessed by all three of her broken-hearted children at her home in Malden, Missouri, her family is confident that her arrival was greeted with jubilation by Joe, her husband of 68 years, who passed July 21.

Patty was born Oct. 16, 1934, the fifth child born to Thomas Edward and Ollie Patten. Following her mother’s death when Patty was only 18 months old, she lived with her paternal grandparents, I.J. and Maggie Patten, who reared her as though she was their own daughter. Patty often worked in the Pattens’ grocery store in Gideon during her early years. She was a hard worker and later was employed at the Gideon-Anderson drug store and offices.

She attended school in Gideon where she met Joe Williams, the son of a local farmer and a farmer-in-training himself. He wanted to court her, but she initially hesitated because she had always told herself that she didn’t want to marry a farmer or a preacher. But Joe was persistent and soon they began dating. She thought to herself, “One out of two isn’t bad.”

They were married Oct. 20, 1951. Seventeen years later, Joe answered the call to preach. Despite her youthful vow not to marry a farmer or preacher, she now had two-in-one.

Throughout their marriage, Patty worked side by side with Joe to support the farming operation as well as the churches he pastored. She often found herself serving in various capacities such as teaching Sunday School or Vacation Bible School, directing children’s activities, etc.

She also found time to rear three incredibly appreciative humans who are convinced they won the Mom Lottery. For everything from basketball and volleyball practices to band rehearsals to piano lessons to music recitals to ball games (the list is actually endless), she was the head taxi driver, cheerleader, encourager, nurse, shoulder to cry on, and moral compass, among so many other things. And she made a mean bowl of chocolate gravy.

Patty was a member of Sunnyvale General Baptist Church.

In addition to her husband, parents and grandparents, she was also preceded in death by stepmother, Venita Patten; sisters, Catherine Laramie, Clara Owens, Phyllis Pulley and Mary Ruth Myers; and brother Tom Patten.

She is survived by her son, Joe Williams, Jr.; daughter. Shelley Johnson; son, Andy Williams and daughter-in-law. Leigh; grandson, Max Johnson; great-grandson, Kai Johnson; brother. Jerry Patten and sister-in-law, Jan; aunt, Joyce Lawrence; sister-in-law ,Mancy Patten; special family friends, Ken Morrow and Michael Karlyle; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Rev. James Hamlett and Rev. Mark Powell will conduct a private funeral service Friday, Dec. 11. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will not be a public visitation.

Interment will be at Rosewood Cemetery in Malden.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or mail to Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

A video memorial is available to view online at https://youtu.be/TdKMd4afAME