Patty L. Walker

Patricia Lou Walker, age 77, resident of Oologah, Oklahoma, passed away June 5, 2021 at Clarehouse as a result of pulmonary fibrosis of the lungs. Patricia (or “Patty”, as she was affectionately known by most) was born on June 9, 1943, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Arthur C. and Betty Lou (Irish-Turner) Walker, who lovingly provided a strong foundation of faith in God, prayer, love, family, work, kindness, generosity, and important life skills that served her very well throughout her life. Among many lessons learned and applied from an early age, her mother taught her that laughter was good for the soul, and her father taught her how to tithe and manage money wisely. Patty also fondly remembered many summer vacation camping trips taken across the U.S. with her parents and family. She was raised in Sand Springs, Berryhill, and then Owasso, Oklahoma, where she graduated from high school in 1961. While in high school, Patty participated in band, FHA, and Glee Club, and especially enjoyed home economics. Her classmates wrote that “Her kindness should be contagious” in the annual next to her senior picture. After high school, she briefly attended NSU in Tahlequah to obtain work-related education and credit. Her working career started with Kresses Dime Store in downtown Tulsa, followed by several years serving the Owasso Schools Cafeteria as a cook, cashier, and Manager. She also later worked for 20 years as a Bakery Manager for Safeway/Homeland stores, and was known as an expert, creative cake decorator. Finally, she worked for 5 years as a caregiver for Visiting Angels, before retiring in 2012 to become a full-time caregiver at home for her own mother. Patty lovingly and faithfully devoted many years to serving her clients and her mother with compassion, selflessness, honor, and dignity. Patty loved and served the Lord, and received the gift of eternal salvation at age eight. She felt most at peace when worshiping at church, singing hymns, and listening to the sermons. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Collinsville, and also helped start Central Baptist Church in Owasso back in 1963. She often said God blessed her abundantly throughout her life and far more than she ever deserved or could have imagined. Some of Patty’s favorite hobbies or activities included spending quality time with family and friends, watching Oklahoma City Thunder basketball games, traveling and exploring new places, photography, bird-watching, and reading. Patty married James R. Thompson in 1962, and during this 22-year union, three children were born, including Preston Lane in 1962, Marlin Wayne in 1963, and Cheryl Luan in 1968. She was subsequently also married to Samuel Farr for 14 years beginning in 1987, before divorcing and choosing to remain single thereafter until her death. Despite the divorces, however, Patty maintained very close relationships with members of both families all of her life, another great example of her unconditional love and willingness to turn something challenging and difficult into a positive outcome nonetheless. Patty always strived to help others and to do her best in every task and endeavor, and leaves a wonderful legacy of love and service for all who knew her. As one more example, she often created hundreds of hand-made greeting cards and personally delivered them to many war veterans at the holidays, to make sure they were remembered, loved, and thanked for their service. Those that survive and hold cherished memories include her son, Preston Thompson of Thornton, Colorado, and daughter, Cheryl Thompson of Tulsa, beloved brother, Fred A. Walker of Oologah, Ok, sister-in-law Sandra Bingham, cousins Annie and Glenn Edwards, the Boyd and Turner families primarily of the Miami/Fairland, OK area, and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Patty was preceded in death by her precious and faithful parents, Arthur C. and Betty Walker of Oologah, by sister Kay Walker, by her grandparents A.B. and Dorabell Walker, J.F. and Ova Turner, and Anna Irish, by infant son, Marlin Thompson, by multiple aunts and uncles, and by two of her favorite dogs, Trixie and Nettie. Patty wished to specifically thank the many wonderful individuals that touched, shaped, loved with their heart, and brought joy to her life from beginning to end. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, June 10, 2021, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Collinsville, OK with Pastor Tim Prock officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 9, 2021, from 4-8 pm at the Mowery Funeral Home in Owasso. Interment will follow at Woodland Memorial Cemetery, Sand Springs, with no graveside services held. Arrangements and other services have been entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso (www.moweryfs.com). In lieu of flowers, contributions can also be made to the First Baptist Church of Collinsville, Elara Caring Hospice, or Clarehouse of Tulsa, if desired by the giver. Tribute Letter To Mom Dear Mom, Many are sad that this day has come, including us. We will no longer be able to share with you the day-to-day experiences that happen here on earth. But despite the tears, let us take a moment to celebrate your life and the many things that we remember. First of all, thank you so much for being our Mom. You taught us many valuable lessons and set good examples for us to follow. You were kind and generous to others and always willing to help out in any way when needed. Your constant and selfless giving to, and caring for, everyone around you was amazing, and yet you never asked for anything in return. As an example, there were many years in which you hand-made hundreds of special cards and delivered them to local veterans, letting them know that they were loved and remembered. Your ability and willingness to love on people, and to make them feel loved, was a great testimony for us all. Your baking talents were also extraordinary, and the home-made goodies were always a special treat. You read the Bible and books and newspapers to us, even while we were in your womb, and gave us a love for reading that has remained with us all of our lives. You always paid your bills and taxes on time, and consistently tithed to the church. You took us along on vacation and shopping trips, giving us a love for travel and exploring new places. You taught us to be good citizens, to respect others, and to appreciate the freedoms of the country we live in. You instilled in us the values of discipline, self-control, patience, sacrifice, and hard work. In part because of all the picking and weeding of the huge garden, the mowing of a big lawn, and various other chores around the farm summer after summer after summer, we now reap the rewards of those lessons. You raised us in church and prayed for us always, exemplifying a true “prayer warrior”. You helped put a fine roof over our heads and provided for our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. You respected your elders and taught us to see the value in old things and old people. You always made sure that we stopped in to visit “Granny” Thompson in downtown Tulsa every Saturday when we were kids. You helped us to get a great education in school and college, to live out many of our wishes and dreams, and to enjoy life. Once we became adults, the relationship grew sweeter. You allowed us the independence and responsibility to make decisions on our own, but were also there to offer wise counsel and advice when we asked. You supported us and believed in us, and taught us to do right. You made us laugh thousands of times with wit and humor. You picked up the phone and called often. You told us and showed us over and over again that you loved us. In short, you became our best friend. Such relationships are priceless, and we are forever grateful for it. We have literally thousands of warm and wonderful memories to take with us in the days ahead, and we are blessed to have shared your life. You weren’t perfect, but neither were we. You have taught us well, and we are equipped to handle the future. Now we come to the final resting place for your earthly body, and it hurts to say good-bye. But we know this is just temporary, and that we will re-unite one day again in heaven. That is the promise and confidence and faith in God that we have as Christians. This passage from earthly life to death is not to be feared, but rather it should be an opportunity to celebrate the life that you lived. We encourage family and friends to share special moments and memories with us and with others around them. We love you so much Mom, and look forward to seeing you again. Thanks for everything. Love Always & Forever, Cheryl and Preston

Patty L. Walker

June 9, 1943 - June 5, 2021