Deola Patterson

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Deola Lavon (Plummer) Patterson died peacefully, with family at her side on October 2, 2023 at the age of 92.

She was born at home in Sarcoxie, MO as Deola Lavon Culley to Vertra Lavon Coates and Jennings Isaac Culley.

Deola spent her childhood on the family farm near LaRussell, MO. Farm life in the 1930’s and 40’s was not simple or easy and she learned the value of hard work at an early age. She said she didn’t remember playing as a child because of so many chores, from daylight to dusk. 

There were many stories of life on the farm that she shared. One of those that astonished her city-grown children was that she and her sisters walked a mile to the one-room schoolhouse, no matter the weather of rain or snow. A favorite school walking story was one that occurred during the depth of winter. A group of children challenged others to walk along the road with their eyes closed while receiving directions. Sisters Jenette and Elnore took up the challenge. 

The naughty challengers did not provide direction and the sisters walked right off the side of a low bridge into the stream below. None of the four sisters could swim! Nonetheless, big sister Deola felt it her responsibility to jump into the icy water and rescue her younger sisters.

The family farmhouse did not have a furnace and the black pot-bellied stove was the sole source for all heating needs. The heat from that wood-burning stove did not extend through-out the house so, during winter the girl’s rooms in the attic would fall below freezing. Each morning they would jump out of bed, wash as quickly as possible, put on their clothes, and rush downstairs to the warmth.

Running water was also lacking in the house and had to be obtained by a hand pump from the well outside the house. A major consequence of no piped-in water was no bathroom in the house. As a result, the toilet was an outhouse.

Deola attended Sarcoxie high school and prepared for continued life on a farm. She was crowned Queen of the FFA, Future Farmers of America and the boy elected King later became her husband.

After their marriage they began making their future as farmers. That endeavor was soon demolished by three straight years of drought. A move to the nearby city of Joplin, MO was necessitated. After a few years as a stay-at-home mother she resumed working to help support the family. For several years she was an assembly line worker with the responsibility of welding together electronic parts.

Her aspiration was to be a beautician/hairdresser and she was her determined to find a way to attend cosmetology school. Her parents agreed to loan money they obtained by selling a cow. After graduation she used her earnings to repay the loan. Her best years were those as a beautician. It was a job she enjoyed and many of her clients became friends.

Deola was the matriarch of five generations. She was devoted to her children and instilled in them the values of honesty, personal responsibility, the importance of family, and integrity to their beliefs. Her grandchild, Chad, was the light of her life. He brought out a glow in her and his young years were the happiest part of her life. Sadly, her first grandchild, Courtney Rene’, was stillborn.

She loved searching for antique furniture. A full day of driving out to small towns to visit antique shops gave her much pleasure. Knitting became an enjoyable art form for many years. It was gratifying to her and she spent much of her time creating beautiful knitted coats, sweaters, dresses, and afghans.

Deola remained extraordinarily young-looking and acting, even into her 80’s and 90’s. People she met were always disbelieving of her age. She attributed her long life to never smoking and never drinking.

Friends and family describe her as a gentle soul, graceful and poised, patient, forgiving, and accepting of others’ opinions. She did not have a mean bone in her body.

She cherished three things: God, her Bible, and her family. Her loving spirit will be deeply missed.

Predeceased by mother Vertra Coates Culley; father Jennings Culley; son Charles Plummer; granddaughter Courtney Rene’ Plummer; husband Clyde Plummer; husband Raymond Patterson.

Survived by daughter Sharon Plummer of Houston, TX; sisters Elnore Jackson (Richard) of Glendora, CA; Jenette Waggoner of Aurora, MO; Jeniece Burgi of Sarcoxie, MO; grandson Chad Plummer (Tammie) of Carl Junction, MO; two great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews, as well as an abundance of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be Sunday, October 8, 2023, 1:30PM Reception and Lunch, 2:30PM Viewing, and 3:00PM Service, at Mt Hope Church of Christ, 2830 Mt Hope Rd, Webb City, MO.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Hope Church of Christ.