Patricia was the 4th daughter born to Ruth and Joel Eugene Hall in Holdenville, Oklahoma, on October 22, 1926. She attended the Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas her last two years of high school, where she met some of her dearest life-long friends: Patterson Chandler Sims, Geraldine Marshall Williams, Molly Lester Mayhall, and Pat Haney Conkling. Patricia then studied at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York for two years, before marrying Harry Carver of Wewoka, Oklahoma. She finished her degree in Sociology, while Harry attended law school at the University of Oklahoma. From that union, 3 children were born at St. Anthony’s Hospital during the 1950s.
Patricia met William C. Abney in 1983 after being introduced by her neighbors, Liz and Alton Brown and were married six months later. They had an extremely happy life together, enjoying travel to many places at home and abroad, seeing plays and movies, attending Sunday School and church and taking daily walks wherever they were. Just days after celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary, William passed away in February, 2012.
Patricia was a member of the Methodist church until later in life, when she joined Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City. She assisted with the SPARK Program and at the Manor Retirement Home. She was a founding member of the Daily Living Center in Oklahoma City and a member of the Metropolitan Library Endowment Trust in its early days. Many enjoyable hours were spent sorting books in the basement of the old downtown library and then working at the annual library book sales.
Patricia sponsored a Native American girl, Chrishelle Chavez, through the “Futures For Children” organization of Albuquerque, New Mexico for 8 years, during the 4th through 12th grade. Many delightful trips were made to visit Chrishelle and her family at their reservation home.
Patricia also sponsored the “Carver Competition” which is part of the Oklahoma City Orchestra League’s music competition, held each year at Oklahoma City University, in memory of her daughter, Lauren, who died tragically in a car crash in September, 1971. Patricia inherited her concern and interest for “World Neighbors” from her parents, volunteered at Harn Homestead and was a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Patricia was predeceased by her parents, her husband, William, her daughter, Lauren Carver, her 3 sisters, Nanette Frederickson, JoEllen Rapee and Marilyn Robison, brothers in law Scott Robison, George Rapee and Louis Abney, Sr., sister in law Janice Abney, stepdaughter Hayden Haller and daughter in law Vicki Clark Carver.
Patricia is survived by her children Lisa Carver Collins and Andrew Hall Carver, stepdaughter Elizabeth Heitzman and husband, Jeff and stepson Bill Abney, Jr. and Sony Larroza, grandchildren Shelley Sponseller, Joshua Sponseller, Lauren Marie Overstreet and John Clark Carver, great granddaughter Aoife Victory Overstreet, stepgrandson Aryn Priest, grandsons in law Josh Overstreet and Jason Mackey, cousin Marilyn Sue Smart and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
In lieu of flowers, donation of any kind may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church in OKC, or any charity of your choice. Due to current public health concerns, a memorial service will be announced at a later date.
