Patricia Stratton

We celebrate the life of Patricia Ann Stratton, born February 19, 1941, died March 18, 2016. Pat lived the first part of her life in the Dallas area where she and her husband John owned several furniture and design centers. Her love of interior design began through her interest in antiques and reproductions. Her creative style and ability to truly listen to what customers want made her one of the Dallas area’s most successful interior designers.

She and John decided to move to one of their favorite vacation spots, Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1977. As a part of the Hot Springs community she worked as an interior designer at Gary Thorson Furniture. In 1986, they purchased an old church building and created The Galleria of Shoppes. Using old architectural structures, the interior was transformed into a quaint and unique mini mall, selling gifts and home accessories. Meeting her Hot Springs neighbors and playing hostess to visiting tourists was one of the great rewards of owning The Galleria.

Pat enjoyed living on Lake Hamilton, boating, travelling the country in their RV, having lunch with her close friends, and being a part of the First Baptist Church family. Her final trip was with her daughters and friends to her favorite place, Bar Harbor, Maine. As her cancer progressed she felt fresh lobsters from Maine were the best medicine.

She inspired her loved ones to have close family bonds and will be remembered as a loving sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. Her family and extended family remembers her as the one who will always love you unconditionally and have a hug ready each time you walk in or out the door.

Her family would like to extend their utmost thanks to Dr. Webb and the staff of Genesis Cancer Center. We believe she had such a high quality of life through many years of cancer treatments due to their wonderful care and God’s grace. Also, we would like to thank the nursing staff of CHI St. Vincent’s 4th Floor and Arkansas Hospice for making her last days comfortable.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Arlou Murley and Ernest Edwards; her husband, John Wilbur Stratton; a sister, Brenda Wynn; a son, John Dana Stratton; and a grandson, Jason Gibason.

She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Cheri Sharkey and husband Bob of Ozawkie, KS, Patti Lee of Hot Springs, AR, Cindy Landes and her husband Charles of Franklin, TN; six grandchildren, Candace Gibason, Jay Sanders and his wife Kim, Amber Abdo and her husband Sargon, Julie Sanders, Lauren and Matthew Landes; five great-grandchildren, Haley, Ethan and Stacikay Sanders, Connor Gibason, and Aden Abdo; a brother, Gerald Edwards and his wife Annie; many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.