Faithful Christian, devoted wife, much-loved sister, incredible mother, doting grandmother and beloved friend, Patricia Sue (Pat) Dooley Dillard, 67, of Eagletown, Okla., passed away Friday, September 13, 2013 at Paris Regional Medical Center in Paris, Texas. She was surrounded by love here on earth as she walked into the arms of Jesus.
Pat was born to Homer and Reba Dooley on June 29, 1946, and she was soon followed by her brothers Ted and Lonnie. The three of them were inseparable growing up, not even two years between them, and did almost everything together. They, with their wives Marlis (better known as Squirt) and Linda, remained close their whole lives.
She graduated from Idabel High School in 1964 and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. There she met fellow student Bobby Dillard, and they fell in love and married on January 3, 1965. They were married 48 wonderful years and packed each one with fun, family and friends. With that marriage, she also gained a brother and sister, Don and Kit Dillard, who were right beside her throughout the wonderful and hard parts of life.
They were blessed with three children: Tod, Tamie and Lance. Tod brought Tracie into the family, and Tamie brought Bobby, and Pat loved them like her own. And when her grandchildren started coming, she was overjoyed. Bryce, Breanne, Brady, Jessica, Keaton and Kendall loved their Grammy, and she loved them all dearly. She also loved and cared for her wonderful nieces and nephews — Willie, Robyn, Gene, Scott, Cecil and Patrick, and later their spouses and children.
In addition, she created more family for herself by adding brothers and sisters through many years of life shared together. Don and Kit Dillard, Al and Sharon Ryan, Jim and Linda Ecker, Pete Wade, Judy Oedewaldt and Melody Patterson became and remained her closest companions.
She worked for years, before auto-immune disease forced her to stop, and spent time as the church secretary at the Harrah Church of Christ and worked for the Army Corps of Engineers at Tinker Air Force Base.
After she finished working, she filled her time more with hobbies - especially ones she could use to make others' lives better. She sewed, crocheted and canned. She lovingly helped build and then furnish their new home. Even though Lupus and Fibromyalgia slowed her some, it never stopped her.
The family has designated Oklahoma Christian University for memorial donations. Funds can be given to the Rebecca Stafford Endowed Scholarship for Nursing or the Preaching Scholarship Fund.
A memorial service will take place 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the Harrah Church of Christ; Harrah, Oklahoma.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18