Frances "Fran" Patterson

Frances "Fran" Patterson, age, 87 of Shawnee, passed away suddenly on Saturday, February 13, 2021. She had not been previously ill. Fran was born on Aug. 12, 1933 in Chickasha, OK. She had 4 older siblings whom loved to show off their new baby, and as a result she barely spoke until she was 5 years old. Ten years later her baby brother, and last of the family, would be born. They spent most of their years in Sand Springs, OK and lived for several of those years in the Widow’s Colony. Fran graduated from Sand Springs High School in 1951, from OBU in 1955 and later would get her master’s from UCO. While at OBU she enrolled a handsome military veteran named Clair Hodges. He immediately caught her eye and in 1954 they married. They would go on to raise three children, Shauna, Dana and Nathan in Shawnee and were married for 21 years until his sudden death in 1975. In 1978, Fran married Wilbur Patterson of Oklahoma City. His wife had passed away as well. They ran into each other at church and were reacquainted after having known each other when she was a student at OBU. They were married for 22 years until his death in 1999. The Patterson family has remained an integral part of her life. Fran taught in the Shawnee Public elementary schools for 30 years. With abundant love, dedication and hard work, she strove to offer her students the best education possible. Fran was a true teacher at heart. She taught Sunday School for 54 years, taught ESL later in life, and was constantly teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren up until the day she died. In retirement Fran was extremely active. She loved traveling, playing games, reading, watching sports and working puzzles. Most of all she loved being with her family and friends and was a gracious hostess for countless joyful celebrations. She was actively involved in her church family at Immanuel Baptist Church as they were an extremely important part of her life, and she of theirs. Fran also had quite the sense of humor. She was quick witted, sharp as a tack, and boldly direct… and boy when she got tickled about something funny you couldn’t help but laugh along with her. Today we celebrate her life which touched so very many people. Fran delivered meals regularly, gave rides to church, for medical treatment and even to complete strangers that she thought were in need. She had tremendous generosity and energy (often referred to as the “Energizer Bunny”). Her motto for over 60 years has been “Happy in Jesus; Now and Forevermore”. She had the now, so it’s her time for the forevermore. Fran was proceeded in death by her parents, one brother, 3 sisters and 2 husbands, as well as several nieces and nephews. She is survived by: brother Jimmy Coffman and Brenda of Rockledge, FL; daughter Shauna Brown and Keith of Missouri City, TX; daughter Dana Bays and Mark of Shawnee; son Nathan Hodges and Pam of Shawnee; granddaughter Heather Reynolds and Will and their children Nate and Maci of Golden, CO; grandson Josh Brown and Ashlee and their children Gracen and John of Lubbock, TX; granddaughter Miranda Bays and her children Xander and Remy of Shawnee; grandson Cameron Hodges of Thailand; granddaughter Claire Bays of Norman and granddaughter Lydia Hodges of Shawnee. Services will be for family only due to Covid-19. The service will be recorded and accessible online at www.ibcshawnee.org/tv. A public viewing is scheduled Thursday thru Saturday, as come and go between the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at Walker Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Salvation Army of Shawnee - 200 E 9th St. Shawnee, OK 74801 OR Yellowstone Christian College - 1515 S Shiloh Rd. Billings, MT 59106. Services will be announced for a later date.