Frances M. Patrick

Frances Matilda (Robinson) Patrick was born February 27, 1918, at the family home, north of Creighton, Missouri in Henry County. The daughter of Vernon Vankirk and Eunice (Gourley) Robinson. She died at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Missouri, on Friday, February 18, 2011, at the age of 92 years. Frances was married to Elmer Patrick on March 10, 1943, who preceded her in death on December 10, 1980. To this union, three children were born. A son, Ray Vankirk Patrick, a daughter, Sara Esther Kauffman, and a son Travis Lee Patrick. Growing up in rural Henry County, Frances attended elementary school for three years at Bunker Hill and graduated from eighth grade at Bee Branch. From there, she attended Urich High School one year and graduated from Garden City High School in 1935. Frances enrolled at Central Missouri Teachers College (Warrensburg) in 1940. After completing 60 hours of credit began teaching in the country school of Camp Branch (1941-45) and Fairview (1945-46). Taking time off to raise a family she began her teaching career again in 1960 in the Urich School District. Then at #36 (Cass County) for four years on to Hutcherson (Cass County) for three years before taking a position in the Harrisonville School District, where she taught sixth grade until her retirement in 1978. During these years, she continued her education receiving a Bachelors degree in 1968 and a Masters degree in 1972, both at Central Missouri State University. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and one brother John Gourley Robinson. She is survived by her three children and spouses, Ray and wife Anne of Warrensburg, Missouri, Sara and husband John of Pryor, Oklahoma, and Travis and wife Kathy of Urich, Missouri, 13 grandchildren/step grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Frances was a faithful member of first the Creighton Presbyterian Church and later the Evangel Presbyterian Church where she served as elder and as the church pianist/organist for over 70 years. Other group involved included the Creighton PTA, Henry County Retired Teachers, Lucas Happy Homemakers, Creighton Saturday Club, taught Sunday School for many years, was Bogard Township Collector for ten years, and worked on election boards in Bogard Township elections for several years. Well known for her great humor, she was asked often to share jokes at some of the meetings. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Garden City, Missouri with burial in the Grant Cemetery, Creighton, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers the family suggest that memorial contributions may be made to the Sherwood High School Music Program.