Patricia A. McDade Grant

When Patricia A. McDade Grant walked into the room, those in her company felt energy, an enthusiastic spontaneity. This was just one example of who Patricia was and how she impacted those around her. Patricia was a clever and gregarious person who always sought out the finest attributes in other people. It was as if Patricia wanted to share all of their experiences, revel in their lives and celebrate their discoveries.

Patricia was tireless and had boundless enthusiasm that would serve her well throughout her life.

       She was the daughter of Arthur Jr. and Johnnie McDade. Patricia was raised in Little Rock. Always ready with a good joke, she grew up to be quite a humorous and lovable person. While some who knew Patricia might describe her as an idealist, her friends and family understood well that Patricia was always in pursuit of life’s endless possibilities and opportunities available to her.

      Patricia was raised with 3 siblings. She had two older sisters, Linda and Gwen and a younger brother, Arthur III. Patricia was very accepting and supportive of her family. She was perceived as the central person in her family in terms of keeping communication open between the family members. Whenever discord or tension arose within the home, Patricia was typically the member who brought about resolution and harmony. These traits served Patricia well in her adult life and, along with her wit, outgoing personality, and understanding of others, drew the admiration of many who knew her.

      As a young girl, Patricia was able to empathize and identify with a vast array of people and personality types. This quality drew her into a diverse group of friends and acquaintances. Patricia was intelligent and had little trouble getting along with her peers. She was almost always the first to jump in when it came to playing games or participating in other childhood activities. She was a Young People's Choir at First Baptist Church Highland Park. In her spare time she liked reading, knitting and dancing. Patricia had the ability to find amusement with almost any activity she and the many childhood friends she shared might discover.

      During her high school years, Patricia responded enthusiastically to any new project and was regularly in search of one adventure after another. She graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1969. Patricia was a very good student, and generally did well in her courses. Patricia absorbed as much as she could from all of her teachers and was consistently able to tackle conceptual and abstract problems, using her imagination to master her assignments. For Patricia, school often became just an extension of playtime, thanks to her ability to turn just about anything into a game. Classmates considered Patricia a good listener, knowing that when necessary, they could go to her to discuss just about anything. Her favorite classes in high school was History and French. She participated in Y-Teen and Baptist Training Union.

      With a talent for making acquaintances easily which in turn brought her an endless stream of friends, Patricia was very sociable and could blend without effort into any social group. Assertive and outgoing, Patricia was easy to know and demonstrated a deep concern for others. She always seemed aware of what was going on with people around her and throughout her life she made many, many friends. While growing up, one of her best friends were Etta Anderson. Later in life, she became friends with Ethel Dunbar, Patricia Phillips and Terri Baker.

      On March 19, 1971 Patricia married Richard Marvin Grant at First Baptist Church Highland Park of Little Rock, Arkansas. Patricia's skill at “building bridges” played an important role in her ability to make her new family happy. She was quite sensitive towards Richard's needs, showing her constant concern and fondness. Patricia was tenderhearted and sensitive, qualities that served her well in helping to nurture her family.

      Patricia was a natural and creative parent who was willing to provide her family with all sorts of new and interesting experiences. For Patricia, parenting was a particularly enjoyable and pleasurable part of her life. Every activity, from chores to bedtime routines, became a game in the Grant home. Patricia's skill at understanding her children's feelings, her sensitivity to their needs, and her gift for gentle persuasion enabled her to find novel solutions to any problem or situation that might crop up. Patricia was blessed with four children: two sons, Matthew and Jonathan, and two daughters, Jennifer and Rachel.

      Patricia was uplifted by new ideas and was excited by life’s possibilities, traits that made her an exceptional worker. Her primary occupation was homemaker and educator. She was employed for Little Rock Montessori School. Patricia was enterprising, inventive and working against deadlines seemed to energize her. Patricia had the uncanny ability to identify a win/win solution to just about any problem, possibly because of her gift for insight. Patricia's fellow workers saw her as a supporter and a mentor.

      Because Patricia loved to have a broad variety of activities in her life, she took advantage of the opportunity to pursue numerous hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were history, astronomy and reading. Patricia had a knack for being able to multi-task in order to create time for all of her favorite pastimes. However, Patricia's ever-present concern for others always took precedent.

      Throughout her life, Patricia was actively involved in professional and community organizations. She was compassionate, accommodating and quick to move into action. Always able to build a consensus, Patricia seemed to be the person smack dab in the middle of things, working to get things done. Those who had the opportunity to work with Patricia usually agreed that when you were involved in an organization with her, it was as entertaining as anything you could imagine. In high school, Patricia was a member of the Y-Teen. Throughout her later years, Patricia was an active member of the PTA.

      Patricia was a woman who was dedicated and devoted to her faith. She was a member First Baptist Highland Park and St. John Baptist Church. During that time, she was a deacon's wife and worked with children. She was sympathetic and able to empathize with others and she used these qualities to the fullest while working tirelessly for her beliefs.

      Patricia's love of improvising in her daily life was a perfect fit for her enjoyment of traveling. Her favorite vacations were ones that were not planned. Traveling in a casual manor fit her personality well. Excited about seeing changing scenery and constantly looking for the enjoyment life could offer, Patricia took her vacations seriously, well, as seriously as she possibly could. Favorite vacations included Orlando, San Francisco, San Diego, and Washington D.C.

      Patricia was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Tia, a Chihuahua, was a best friend for 12 years. Her family was rounded out by her dogs, Joy, Ricky, Ralph and Havoc.

      Patricia McDade Grant passed away on November 11, 2015 at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. She is survived by her children, Matthew, Jennifer, Jonathan and Rachel; her mother, Johnnie her sisters Linda and Gwen and her brother Arthur III. Services were held at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth. Patricia was laid to rest in North Little Rock with her husband Richard.

      There was always a certain style and inventiveness to Patricia. She was a dynamic, self-expressive person who was forever looking to celebrate the endless possibilities life had to offer. She had a knack for being clever, creative and witty, and for others, was a joy to be around. While she was often fiercely independent, it seemed as if many others looked to Patricia McDade Grant for inspiration, leadership, wisdom and even courage.

Patricia was always more than willing to share life’s experiences with her loved ones. She will be forever loved and missed.

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Patricia A. “Pat” McDade Grant, 64, of North Little Rock, died November 11, 2015. Born May 18, 1951 in Little Rock, she was the daughter of Arthur McDade, Jr. and Johnnie Henson McDade. A faithful wife, loving mother, beloved sister and daughter, she was of the Baptist faith and worked with young people and was in the young people’s choir at First Baptist Highland Park. She attended Shorter College and enjoyed reading, astronomy, history, playing with her dogs and caring for children. She loved getting with family, especially at Christmas, and being a homemaker. She lived a vibrant and fruitful life with her late-husband, Richard for thirty-four years. The focus of her existence was her four children and volunteering at their schools.

Preceded in death by her husband, Richard, her father, Arthur McDade, Jr. and her grandparents, she is survived by four children, Matthew Grant of Memphis, TN, Jennifer Grant of North Little Rock, Jonathan Grant of Cabot, and Rachel Grant of Columbia, MO; her mother, Johnnie Henson McDade of Little Rock; siblings, Dr. Linda McDade Parker of Little Rock, Gwendolyn Kendrick (Lewis) of Alexander, AR, and Arthur McDade III (Ellen Marie) of Little Rock. She will be missed by her family and host of friends

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, November 19th in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th St., Little Rock (501) 661-9111 with Rev. Ronnie Miller Yow officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the funeral home. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com