Patricia W. McGrew
Patricia W. McGrew died Dec. 28, 2014. Pat was born on April 18, 1929 and raised in Fulton, Mo. She was the only child of Clyde and Marcella Whitmer. Although the family lived in town she spent many summers with relatives on their farms near Richmond and always considered herself a country girl.
In high school, she was involved in various activities. She was an athlete, an editor of the high school yearbook, a member of the National Honor Society and an avid equestrian.
She attended William Woods College then moved to Norman, Okla. with her new husband, Jerry, where she earned her bachelors in sociology from the University of Oklahoma. They then moved to Oklahoma City, where after she saw the youngest of four children start school, she earned her masters degree in education from Central State University. She taught third grade with the Oklahoma City Public School system for over 25 years and devoted herself to teaching to the individual student's needs and potential.
When they retired, Pat and Jerry moved to Holiday Island, Ark., where they were very active and enjoyed the company of several new friends for over 20 years. They escaped the Arkansas heat by spending their summers at their beloved family cabin in the mountains of Colorado.
Pat and Jerry enjoyed watching sports and were passionate Sooner football fans and season ticket holders for over 40 years. Assuredly if the stroke hadn't done her in on Sunday then the Sooner's 40-6 loss to Clemson on Monday would have.
Her sweet disposition and sincere interest in people endeared her to folks from all walks of life. Patty would talk to anyone, often to the great alarm, dismay and embarrassment of her children. Perhaps Pat's greatest gift was that she saw the best in everyone.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 63 years, Jerry L. McGrew, and is survived by their children, Mike, Ed, Mary and Marty; four grandchildren and a great-grandson. A memorial will be held this summer in Colorado. The family requests memorial donations be made in her name to the UCO Foundation, 100 North University Drive, Edmond, OK 73034.
Cremation under the direction of Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville, Ark.
Published January 11, 2015