(From Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home)
Patricia Ann Hood, age 83, of Mount Vernon, Missouri, passed away to her heavenly home on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born August 18, 1942, in Miller, Missouri, to Vincent and Ruth (Lamb) Cantrell.
Pat graduated from Miller High School as valedictorian in 1960, earned a bachelor’s degree in education and piano from Southwest Missouri State College, and ultimately a master’s degree in education from Southwest Missouri State University in 1978. Most of her career was spent teaching music. She worked in the Missouri public school system in Vandalia and Miller and retired from Mount Vernon Elementary School after many years of dedicated service. Many of her former students can still belt out songs they learned in her classroom. On June 6, 1964, Pat and Jerry Hood were united in marriage at the Miller United Methodist Church and were married for almost 60 years.
Pat came from a long line of musicians and was a talented pianist and accompanist. She played at church from the time she was a teenager, and for forty plus years, was the pianist at First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon. She accompanied countless soloists for music contests, and played for numerous weddings, funerals, and community events. She directed Christmas pageants, and children’s choirs, and talent shows. There is not enough space to name them all. Pat was also active in many organizations, such as PEO and the Missouri Music Educators Association, and she was honored to serve on the executive board of the Missouri State Teachers Association.
Pat most enjoyed her family and her friends. She loved family gatherings and vacations, Breakfast Club, New Year’s Eve with her college pals, and any excuse to be with her grandsons. She was a hard worker and had boundless energy. She was competitive and smart. She could persevere the tough storms that sometimes life brings, and not fold.
Pat is survived by her two daughters, Melissa (Mark) Short, and Pam (David) Bartelsmeyer all of Mount Vernon, Missouri; grandsons, Corey (Erin) Nelson, Clark, Colin, and Carter (Angel) Bartelsmeyer; step-grandson, Jacob (Kelli) Lamkins and great-grandchildren, Avery, Clay, Gus, Evie, Hoyt, and Kaylyn.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; parents, Vincent, and Ruth Cantrell; sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilma (Avon) Snyder, and Barbara (Gary) Garton; grandson, Tyler Bartelsmeyer and many other dear family and friends.
A funeral service under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Mt. Vernon First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Sycamore Cemetery northeast of Miller, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, in the funeral home chapel.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mt. Vernon First Baptist Church or Sycamore Cemetery Association at PO Box 262, Miller, Missouri 65707.
Online condolences may be shared at
www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.