PATRICIA GORDON

JASPER- Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Avilla Baptist Church for Patricia Ann Gordon, 74, Jasper, who died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at her home. Burial will follow at Hackney Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, at Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to Samaritan's Purse "Operation Christmas Child", in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include her husband, Gary; her son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Crystal Gordon and their daughter Lacey, all of Jasper step daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Jason Sjorlund, Garnett, Kan. and their family; step-son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Fran Gordon, Bella Vista, Ark. and their family; her sister, Martha Joyce, Jasper; her brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Geraldine Joyce, Jasper and their family, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other deeply loved extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a niece, Sheila Gordon Mayfield and a great nephew, Zeth Joyce.

Mrs. Gordon was born Sept. 27, 1948, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Wilbur Robert and Fern Ethel (Schwartz) Joyce. She graduated from Jasper High School in the class of 1966 before going to Pittsburg State University and becoming a teacher. She married the love of her life, Gary Willis Gordon, on June 18, 1971.

She worked as an elementary school teacher for over 30 years, retiring from the Lamar R-1 School District in 2005. She was a member of Avilla Baptist Church and served as a Sunday school teacher, among many other capacities. Her faith in Jesus drove her to continue to serve wherever needed. Even after retiring she continued to stay active working with children all around her at church and a variety of different school capacities. Her heart was always with the children she mentored and surrounded herself with whether at home, school, church or the neighborhood. She was a beloved member of both her church and community and will be greatly missed by many.