Obituaries

Hettivee V. Van Patten

Photo of Hettivee V. Van Patten
Hettivee V. Van Patten left this world to be with her Lord on July 2, 2017. She was born in Floral on Aug. 14, 1934. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Herman of 51 years, her parents, Leslie and Mae Baker and her brother Augustine Baker. She is survived by her three beloved children, and their spouses, whom she loved as her own, Jeffery W. Van Patten, (Kenny) Maumelle; Dana R. McKinney, (Rick) Jonesboro; Suzanne M. Van Patten, Dallas, Texas. Her grandchildren, Rachel McKinney, Ft. Collins, Colo., Cam McKinney, Jonesboro, Will Van Patten (Cameron), Dallas, Texas, and Katie Van Patten, Maumelle. Her sisters Ernestine Bowren, Floral; Lula Bell Froud, Step Rock; Madeline Cooper, Hot Springs Village, and many nieces and nephews. Hettivee graduated from Floral High School in 1951 and attended Draughon's Business College in Little Rock, Ark. She formerly worked as a dental assistant and secretary. She was co-partner/manager of real estate that she and her husband owned. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Searcy, Ark. (1956-2017). She served in many areas of the church from Administrative Board, Sunday school teacher (16 years), chairman of several outreach programs, various officer positions of United Methodist Women (57 years), Greeter and Communion Vestry Volunteer. Because of her lifelong passion for missions, she began the ministry at her church of working with the Operation Christmas Child/Samaritan's Purse organization in the 1990's. She participated in two Operation Christmas Child mission trips to Atlanta, Ga., to prepare boxes filled with small gifts, Bibles in various languages, and basic necessities of life to be shipped around the world to share the gospel of Jesus to children. Hettie also was an active volunteer at Good Sams Ministry and the Methodist Thrift Shop. With their love of music and worship, she and her late husband, Herman, funded a handbell ministry and have supported the Van Patten Handbell Choir at First United Methodist Searcy since the 80's. Hettie enjoyed encouraging others in their gifts in music ministry, and listening to her children and grandchildren sing together. She was a life time member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, charter member of AWH of Harding, charter member of Searcy Jaycettes and charter member of CARTI Auxiliary--officer and faithful volunteer. Serving the patients and staff at CARTI in Searcy brought her great joy for over 20 years. She loved gardening, arranging flowers and sharing her flowers and plants with others. Her interests included volunteering, reading, bridge, listening to music, cooking and traveling. Her "loves of her life" were her family and her church. She enjoyed serving and baking for them. Visitation services will be Friday July 7, 2017 at 1 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary with Celebration of Life services to follow immediately after at 2 p.m. Memorials can be made to First United Methodist Church Music Ministry or CARTI in Searcy, Ark. Arrangements by Roller-Daniel Funeral Home in Searcy. For online guest book, www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

Published July 5, 2017

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