South Yarmouth - Patti Lee (Todd) D’Arta was born February 13, 1924 in New York City to Clarence Todd and Elise G. (Ford) Todd. She was the eldest of two daughters. Her sister, Cora (Todd) Fry preceded her in death in 2002.
She went to be with her Lord on March 23, 2020 at the age of 96.
She attended elementary school at P.S. 116 in Jamaica, NY and high school at Jamaica High.
She received her B.S. degree in Music from New York University in 1947. She would later receive her Masters from Columbia University in 1949.
She was a dedicated elementary school teacher in New York City for over 30 years retiring to Cape Cod in 1989.
On March 31, 1956, she married to Joseph Tavares D’Arta. He would later precede her in death on March 4, 1970 as the result of a car accident.
Of all the dates in Mother Patti’s life, the most important date for her was April 19, 1949, the day she gave her life to Christ.
In her service to the Lord, Mother Patti ministered to her pupils consistently. Mother Patti was the embodiment of Isaiah 54:1
Sing, O barren, thou didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
She taught Sunday School and ministered the word of God in various churches including Allen A.M.E. Church in Jamaica, NY; Daily Vacation Bible School at First Church of God in Christ, Zion Union Church in Hyannis, MA, New Life Christian Fellowship, Dennisport, MA, and Jubilee Christian Fellowship in Mashpee, MA. She was active in the music ministry at all the churches she attended.
At Bethel Gospel Tabernacle in Jamaica, New York, she took classes in evangelism. Placed with a evangelistic mantle on her life, she wholeheartedly committed her life to telling all she met of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. In her service to the Lord, Mother Patti sang in the Crispus Attucks Group which traveled and ministered the word in song. The group was composed of principals and teachers, all who shared a love for music and for Christ.
Mother Patti’s ministry spanned decades and locations. From her church homes in New York and Cape Cod, she continued sharing the word with regular evangelical trips to the Church of the Living God in Darlington, S.C.
As mentioned before, Mother Patti had a deep love for children and would often bring them from NY to Cape Cod during summer vacation. She mentored young people from various churches teaching them to be Godly examples with their bodies, in their attire, in their deeds (seen and unseen) and, most importantly, in their discipleship with Jesus Christ.
As another example of her dedication to the advancement of the Kingdom, since 1961, she has been a sponsor of World Vision, World Missionary Evangelism, and many others.
Finally, over the past 15 years, at the behest of the Spirit, Mother Patti brought food and love, twice yearly, to the public servants and first responders of Yarmouth (U.S. Post Office, Yarmouth Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police, and Yarmouth Police department). Mother Patti not only prayed for our public servants, she demonstrated the love of Christ through her actions.
She is remembered by relatives and friends and her many devoted spiritual children. She leaves to mourn her relatives Michelle Dawson (Atlanta, GA), Maude Tucker (Moncks Corner, SC), Marsha Glover (Ewing, NJ), and Verna Guzenda (CA). Her children include Cookie Lucas (Atlanta, GA), Ida Mack (Jamaica, NY), Beverly Bingham, Sandy Cashen and Stephanie Yingling (Cape Cod, MA.) and a great host of Christian sisters and brothers in the Lord, neighbors and friends.
Mother Patti Quotes
“Save yourself. You’ll do well”
“Run for your life, Child”
“Keep looking up. Don’t look to the left or the right”
“Stay focused”
“Eat intelligently”
Due to current public health concerns, a formal memorial service will be held in September 2020. As Mother Patti would always exhort us, let us pray for our country during these times. For online condolences visit www.doanebealameshyannis.com
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